Lono.i.ka.makahiki Ke Ali‘i
Kawaikapuokalani K. Hewett
Composed March 25, 1996
Lono.i.ka.makahiki ke ali‘i
Häwai‘iloa ka inoa a o ke kähili
Ua kapu Häwai‘iloa ua wela nö
Haku ‘ia i ka hulu manu ‘ö‘ö
Ki‘eki‘e Häwai‘iloa ke kau ala i luna
Kü ke kähili kapu, moe ke känaka
Ilihia i ka nani o Häwai‘iloa
Weliweli i ke kapu o ke akua
He hö‘ailona ke kähili, he kuleana
Mai ka wä kahiko a mau loa
Lonoikamakahiki is the Chief
Häwai‘loa is the name of his kähili
Sacred is Häwai‘iloa, burning (with kapu)
Bound with the feathers of the ‘ö‘ö bird
Majestic is Häwai‘iloa appearing on high
As the sacred kähili is lifted, all prostrate
Enthralled by the beauty of Häwai‘iloa
Fearsome is the kapu of the ali‘I
The kähili is an insignia inherited through rank
From ancient time and forever
Notes on Lono.i.ka.makahiki Ke Ali‘i
It is said that the kähili of Lonoikamakahiki was like no other; that it was made from the feathers of the ‘ö‘ö (yellow), abundant on the island of Häwai‘i.
The word wela in the second verse refers to the heat of the kapu of the kähili Häwai‘i.loa. The upper part of the kähili, where the feathers are attached, is called the hulu manu.
The kähili (symbolized) the presence of an ali‘i. When it was lifted above the ali‘I, or lifted in a royal procession, the multitude would prostrate; in later times, they would bow in reverence. Today people stand to acknowledge the kähili and the ali‘i.
The kähili was a insignia of people of high rank, “ali‘i.” It was inherited through the blood and became the inheritance of successive generations. This kuleana was established in ancient times and remains so forever.
The story of Lono.i.ka.makahiki can be found in:
Kamakau, S. M., “Ruling Chiefs of Häwai‘I,” The Kamehameha Schools Press, Honolulu, (English translation, 1961) pp. 47 through 63.
Web Kupua Earl Stokes email: stokes@lava.net