| Author |
 Topic  |
|
RWD
`Olu`olu
USA
850 Posts |
 Posted - 05/31/2006 : 03:50:20 AM
|
I have questions about the meanings(translations) of two
of Keola's song titles.
1) "Isa Lei": As a boy in Hawaii, I often heard friends say something like "Isa Lei" when we parted, and was used as a friendly goodby comment. I alway thought is was some form of the word "easily" and they would typically say..."easilay bra". I understood it mean take it easy bra. Had I been hearing "Isa Lei" all that time, and if not, what does "Isa Lei" mean?
2)"Papa's Okolehau": I know what Okole means because we used it as kids sometimes and usually not the context of being complimentary or friendly. I am puzzled by the title...What does "hau" add to the meaning of Okole. Does it mean papa's large "backside" or something else?
Thanks to those that will take the time.
Bob
|
Bob |
|
|
Reid
Ha`aha`a
Andorra
1526 Posts |
Posted - 05/31/2006 : 10:14:29 AM
|
It is `okolehao = lit. ironass. (which I prefer :-) but it could refer to the still.
Ulukau says:
`o.kole.hao
1. n. Liquor distilled from ti root in a still of the same name; later, a gin as made of rice or pineapple juice. Lit., iron bottom.
2. Iron try-pot still.
...Reid |
Edited by - Reid on 05/31/2006 10:16:19 AM |
 |
|
|
hapakid
Luna Ho`omalu
USA
1533 Posts |
Posted - 05/31/2006 : 10:20:38 AM
|
I think "Isa Lei" is Fijian.
As Reid said, okolehao is moonshine made in an "iron bottom" pot, usually from burnt ti leaves out of an imu. My great-grandparents generation used to send my mother to buy it (a dollar a bottle) from a man down the road in Kaneohe when there was a party being planned.
Jesse Tinsley |
|
|
|
Auntie Maria
Ha`aha`a
USA
1918 Posts |
Posted - 05/31/2006 : 10:27:02 AM
|
There's the "Isa Lei" as sung by the artist Fiji -- and yes, that is Fijian.
But there is also the Hawaiian "Isa Lei" -- totally different song. Recorded by Gabby, the Pahinui Sons, and many others over the years. Soundclip is available on this CD:
http://www.mele.com/music/artist/pahinui+brothers/the+pahinui+brothers/ |
Auntie Maria
===================
My "Aloha Kaua`i" radio show streams FREE online every Thu & Fri 7-9am (HST)
www.kkcr.org - Kaua`i Community Radio
"Like" Aloha Kauai on Facebook, for playlists and news/info about island music and musicians!
|
|
|
|
Pua Kai
Ha`aha`a
USA
1007 Posts |
Posted - 05/31/2006 : 3:03:53 PM
|
Thanks, Auntie! What a pretty song.
I have only heard okole hau mean bottoms up for a quick toast..... |
|
|
|
Reid
Ha`aha`a
Andorra
1526 Posts |
Posted - 05/31/2006 : 5:02:54 PM
|
No Steve. You got the song names (willfully, I suppose) crossed up.
More wine.
...Reid |
|
|
|
hapakid
Luna Ho`omalu
USA
1533 Posts |
Posted - 05/31/2006 : 6:09:55 PM
|
| I think the traditional song "Isa Lei" is originally Fijian (don't tell my Fijian friend Gillo that it's not!) and the first verse is "Isa, Isa, vulagi lasa dina, nomu lako a na rarawa kina..." The version recorded by the Pahinui Brothers and later by Bla on a solo album is the same song with English lyrics which may or may not be a direct translation. There are several Fijian songs that begin with the words "Isa Lei", but the original, made popular on the mainland by The Seekers back in the 1960s, is the one we're probably all talking about. |
|
|
|
hapakid
Luna Ho`omalu
USA
1533 Posts |
Posted - 05/31/2006 : 6:17:00 PM
|
Hey Steve,
I think you mean the nickname of the officer (Binghamton) on McHale's Navy: "Leadbottom".
Now there's a trivia question.
Jesse |
|
|
|
chunky monkey
Ha`aha`a
USA
1022 Posts |
Posted - 06/01/2006 : 06:04:31 AM
|
| Dennis Pavao recorded Isa Lei and sings the Fijian lyrics as well as the English. I used his version to learn the song. |
|
|
|
RWD
`Olu`olu
USA
850 Posts |
Posted - 06/01/2006 : 06:15:30 AM
|
Thanks for the explanations of Okolehau. I figured it had something to do with a "bottom". Could it also refer to the smell of the brew (haha)...that's how my mind works :)
I would still like to know what Isa Lei means. When Hawaiians give shaka and say what sounds like "Isa Lei bra", are they using the Fijian word or are they saying word "easily" slanged? I was born and lived in Hawaii until I was 18 and heard the phrase a lot. I Really never thought about it until I learned Keola's arrangement of Isa Lei. Now I wonder what I had heard all those years.
Bob
|
Bob |
|
|
|
Bwop
Lokahi
USA
244 Posts |
Posted - 06/01/2006 : 1:26:32 PM
|
Aloha ya'll,
The toast is "Okole ma luna!" (bottom's up!). And, I think the okolehao was made from the corms of the ti plants, roasted in an imu (which turned them molasses-like). Anybody still know a "man down the street" who can set me up with a bottle??? |
Bwop |
|
|
|
ArtSap
Lokahi
USA
267 Posts |
Posted - 06/01/2006 : 1:30:27 PM
|
| Steve, was it PT73??? |
Art
SF Bay Area, CA / Mililani, HI
"The real music comes from within you - not from the instrument" |
Edited by - ArtSap on 06/01/2006 1:32:07 PM |
|
|
|
ArtSap
Lokahi
USA
267 Posts |
Posted - 06/02/2006 : 08:24:22 AM
|
quote:
Right again, Art! But too easy - you can find it on the internet. How about this one: What California lake did F-Troop stars Forrest Tucker and Larry Storch advertise for in uniform?
You got me on that one??? |
Art
SF Bay Area, CA / Mililani, HI
"The real music comes from within you - not from the instrument" |
|
|
|
Fran Guidry
Ha`aha`a
USA
1579 Posts |
Posted - 06/02/2006 : 08:24:59 AM
|
quote:
Originally posted by Haole_Boy
<snipped>
I would still like to know what Isa Lei means. When Hawaiians give shaka and say what sounds like "Isa Lei bra", are they using the Fijian word or are they saying word "easily" slanged? I was born and lived in Hawaii until I was 18 and heard the phrase a lot. I Really never thought about it until I learned Keola's arrangement of Isa Lei. Now I wonder what I had heard all those years.
Bob
Here's a link to the lyrics. http://www.sonaisali.com/the_resort/the_resort_farewell.cfm It appears to me that Isa Lei is a person's name. This is the same understanding I gained from the Pahinui Brothers version.
A Fijian friend of mine told me that this song is the unofficial national anthem of Fiji and one that is learned by all the kids in Fijian schools. He described the origin of the song as a doomed love affair between a commoner and a princess.
Fran
|
E ho`okani pila kakou ma Kaleponi
Slack Key Guitar in California - www.kaleponi.com
Slack Key on YouTube
Homebrewed Music Blog |
|
|
|
RWD
`Olu`olu
USA
850 Posts |
Posted - 06/02/2006 : 09:42:10 AM
|
| Thanks Fran. The lyrics are beautiful. I suppose that the phrase I had heard as a boy was a distotion of "easily bra". Also thanks to Reid, Aunti Maria, bwop, lawrence and everyone else that contributed. A special shout-out goes to Steve Felton, without whose deep and dedicated focus to the subject, I could not have completely understood the complex interpretations of these titles...geez! :) |
Bob |
|
|
|
RWD
`Olu`olu
USA
850 Posts |
Posted - 06/02/2006 : 09:43:35 AM
|
| Oh! Thanks to Hapakid too. |
Bob |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
Topic Locked
