In Waipi'o people say "Hi'ilawe" was written by Sam Li'a, who lived in Nako'oko'o- the village in front of the falls.
In Waipi'o we used to do a lot of communal work days, when everyone got together to help someone on a project on their land- followed of course by a luau. One project was clearing the old Li'a homestead for Sam's nephew? Dwayne. Great party afterwards, where lots of Sam Lia's songs were naturally played. Great, powerful rendition of H'ilawe there in sight of the falls- but Gabby's version can't be beat!