| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
 Posted - 10/14/2010 : 3:02:23 PM
|
I have heard a couple of versions of `Ulupalakua on the internet that have a 3rd verse about rounding up the pipi. One version is by Ronnie Kaohelauli`i on one of the Falsetto Contest CD's (#7, I think). and one by Atta Damasco on the compilation Holoholo Mai Maui. Does anyone know where I might find this additional verse? Does anyone know if that verse was indeed written by John Pi`ilani Watkins or if it was added afterward. What we have most often heard are verse one "Kaulana mai nei....", second verse "He wehi e ku`u lei...." and then third verse the ha`ina.
Thanks for any kokua.
|
Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
|
|
thumbstruck
Ahonui
USA
2168 Posts |
Posted - 10/14/2010 : 3:17:22 PM
|
| There is also an older song entitled 'Ulupapkua, completely different. Baritone (Uncle Herb) told me that that was the first one he heard. Otherwise, you're helping me plumb the depths of me ignorance. |
 |
|
|
mike2jb
Lokahi
USA
213 Posts |
Posted - 10/15/2010 : 6:55:58 PM
|
Wanda, I did hear that verse a few years ago from my neice's neighbor in Huelo (far downhill from the ranch in question), and then later heard Ata Damasco's version. My recollection of the words was the same. I don't know if the old guy knew that verse already or if he had just heard Ata.
Anyhow what I recall was something like:
"Ke `ike i ka nani
O Ka ho`olawe
I ka lawe na pipi
Na pipi ahiu"
I do not vouch for the accuracy. My amateur translation would be:
"Seeing Kaho`olawe's beauty while herding the cattle-- the wild cattle."
I have no idea whether this third verse was part of the original lyrics, but it seems to fit. |
|
|
|
wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 10/16/2010 : 01:49:45 AM
|
That verse intriques me. It must be talking about the history of Kaho`olawe being used as ranch land, because after 1941, it was used as a bombing range. John Pi`ilani Watkins was a modern composer, having lived from 1928-1983, and I am not certain that ranching was contemporaneous to him. He wrote this mele in 1947 when he was 19 years old. Can Kaho`olawe be seen from `Ulupalakua? I wonder why a mele about `Ulupalakua would speak of a different place if it is titled specifically `Ulupalakua. That verse really, to my untrained eye, does not seem to fit with the rest of the song. Huapala.org does not show that verse. The only listing for the song in Amy Stillman's Index of Songs shows huapala.org. Hmmmm. I love a mystery.
|
Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
|
|
|
Peter Medeiros
`Olu`olu
546 Posts |
Posted - 10/16/2010 : 02:32:08 AM
|
Wanda,
Kula is like Kamuela on the Big Island it is all cowboy country. The Ulupalakua Ranch is simply quite spectacular. The view west from this part of Kula is awe inspiring and beautiful. I can see this verse as part of the song. This ranch runs mauka to makai and is located on the leeward slopes of Haleakala.
Depending upon where you are on the ranch,on a good day looking westward you can see the West Maui Mountains, Molokini, Kaho'olawe, Lanai, Moloka'i and 'Oahu. If you ever get the chance to go to upcountry Maui, this ranch is one of the best places to visit. They have a small store and restaurant, also, the Tedeschi vineyards and the lavender farm are within the vicinity. |
|
|
|
mike2jb
Lokahi
USA
213 Posts |
Posted - 10/16/2010 : 05:33:22 AM
|
Wanda, Peter is right. The views from the `Ulupalakua Ranch are stunning, and you can most definitely see Kaho`olawe from the ranch and from most other points from there all the way down to the shore. (It's the largest object on the horizon from the lanai of my little rental condo in South Maui-- I regularly have to field questions from renters who would like to hop across the channel for a "visit".)
I always had the impression of the verse as not referring to herding cattle on Kaho`olawe itself, but rather to the cowboys at `Ulupalakua doing their herding on the ranch while enjoying the view of the other island. (I think there used to be a bunch of goats that ran wild on Kaho`olawe, but not sure about any cattle-- it's awfully dry, as it sits in the rain shadow of Haleakala.)
I googled someone else's vacation photos posted on the web and found one here
Kaho`olawe is in the distance with red earth visible (supposedly denuded by the goats, from what I hear). The partial islet on the far right is Molokini. The south Maui shoreline is looking at Makena, and the little hill jutting out into the water there is Pu`u Olai (Red Hill). The white building is what used to be called the Maui Prince Hotel-- now under new owners. I'd guess the elevation in this picture is about 3000 feet.
Unfortunately, there is no public road straight downhill from the ranch to Makena, as it is private land with locked gates on the dirt roads. You have to go the long way around to get down there (about a 40 mile trip-- well over an hour). I got to hear Jeff Peterson perform last month at the weekly slack key concert in Napili. He talked about his dad (one of the paniolo on the `Ulupalakua Ranch) taking him fishing at Makena as a child. They got to do the two-mile direct downhill route because "Dad had all the keys". |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
`Ulupalakua mystery 3rd verse
