Aia la i Paliuli
Kawaikapuokalani K. Hewett
Aia la i Paliuli
Ka u’i kaulana , ka ‘i’ini pu’uwai
I ka luna ki’eki’e noho ka wahine
I ka mamalu o ke änuenue
Imi a ‘ike i ka nähelehele
Uluwehiwehi i ka lau o ka maile
Kau ke ali’i i ke kua o ka manu
Ua hi’olani i ke ‘olu’olu
E nihi ka hele i ka pi’i o uka
Pä ‘ino ka makani i ka wao akua
E ö e , e Lä‘ieikawai
Ka u’i kaulana, ka’i’ini pu’uwai
There at Paliuli
The famed beauty, the desire (of my) heart (Lä’ieikawai)
In the lofty heights dwells the woman
In the protection of the rainbow
Seek and behold in the forest
Lush with the leaves of the maile
The chiefly woman has been placed on the back of the bird
Lounging comfortably
Be cautious as you journey upland
The wind blows fierce where the gods dwell
Answer (to your name) Lä‘ieikawai
The famed beauty, the desire (of my) heart
* Note (The first line of the last verse is used as a chorus/refrain for this mele)
These are the ‘ölelo and the simple English translations
For my mele Aia La I Paliuli.
This mele was written to honor the High Chiefess
Lä‘ieikawai and her home at Paliuli.
This story continues to fascinate me and I am sure because
of it uniqueness many more songs will be written to honor the name of Lä‘ieikawai.
Our family has a “pilina” to this mo‘o‘ölelo because Lä‘ieikawai had a twin sister named Lä‘ielohelohe. Although not the same woman, the King of Maui Pi‘ilani has a son, KihaaPi‘ilani with a High Chiefess Lä‘ielohelohe from whom our family descends.
Also, in the legend, Lä‘ieikawai marries Ka‘önohiokalä the God of the sun.
The Geneaology of my great grandmother (five generations removed) also begins with the name of Ka‘önohiokalä the God of the sun.
Her name is Kanaheleaumoku and she is a great great granddaughter of Kekauhiwamoku the son of King Kekaulike of Maui.
Web Kupua Earl Stokes email: stokes@lava.net