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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
 Posted - 01/30/2010 : 11:28:19 AM
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One of the `oli that I have recently been exposed to is "A Hilo Au" which speaks of places on Hawai`i Island visited by Kauikeaouli (Kamehameha III). I would appreciate any insight into the places spoken of in this chant, whether these places are still around in these modern times or if they have been destroyed in the name of progress, etc.
One verse is: A Wailuka la, I ka lua kanaka la.
At Wailuku, the pit where men fall in.
I was wondering if anyone know of this cave or pit where men fall in? I was wondering about the history of it and if it is still there and accessible.
It really is a beautiful chant:
A Hilo au e la At Hilo I saw
Ho`olulu ka lehua la The lehua in profusion
A Wailuku la At Wailuku
I ka lua kanaka la The pit where men fall in
A Haili au la At Haili
I ke kula manu la The gathering place of birds
A Pana`ewa la At Pana`ewa
I ka moku lehua la The cluster of lehua trees
A Leleiwi au la At Leleiwi
`Ike i ke kai la The restless sea
A Moloka`i la At Moloka`i
I ke ala kahi la One path
Ha`ina ha`ina mai This ends my chant
Kapuana no ka lani no, In honor of my chief.
he inoa
He Inoa no Kauikeaouli.
It was explained to us that at Haili, it was well knwn for a great population of birds, at Panaewa, there was a great grove of lehua trees for which the area was famous, at Leleiwi, very rough water (some versions of the chant say "`au`au i ke kai la" - I swim in the sea. Leleiwi is a healing heiau north of Hilo, where people were blessed and protected from harm in the water. The sea had healing qualities for Hawaiians. At Moloka`i, the one path is a current in the ocean off the coast of Hilo side of the Big Island, but other versions of the chant say "at Moloka`i I see one road."
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Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
Edited by - wcerto on 01/31/2010 03:33:28 AM |
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alika207
Ha`aha`a
USA
1260 Posts |
Posted - 01/31/2010 : 01:53:41 AM
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| Are there any recordings of this available? |
He kehau ho'oma'ema'e ke aloha.
'Alika / Polinahe |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 01/31/2010 : 03:42:05 AM
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| I found one recording on mele.com ( http://www.mele.com/hawaiianMP3s/322_16.mp3 ) but it is an orchestral inistrumental - no chanting. It is by the Galliard String Quartet. I found a video on You Tube of keiki while the kumu chanted; however, it is a different version than what we were taught and has some of the differences that I pointed out above. One resource I need to find is Na Mele Hula by Nona Beamer. I think this is supposed to be in that book. Here is the keiki video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UGL0MO4jSM |
Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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markwitz
`Olu`olu
USA
841 Posts |
Posted - 01/31/2010 : 06:51:59 AM
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I have found two vocal recordings of "A Hilo Au"
A song version can be found on "This Is Our Island Home, We are Her Sons" by Keola and Kapono Beamer
but more importantly for you, Wanda a chant by Nona Beamer is found on her Album "Hula Chants" |
"The music of the Hawaiians, the most fascinating in the world, is still in my ears and
haunts me sleeping and waking."
Mark Twain |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 01/31/2010 : 08:56:32 AM
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Mahalo, Norman. Lucky you are married to a hula dancer (I am lucky you are, too). You are a man of many resources and vast knowledge.
Thanks again. |
Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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A Hilo Au
