"Kaulana Nā Pua" ("Famous are the flowers") is a Hawaiian patriotic song written by Eleanor Kekoaohiwaikalani Wright Prendergast (April 12, 1865 – December 5, 1902) in 1893 for members of the Royal Hawaiian Band who protested the overthrow of Queen Liliʻuokalani and the Hawaiian Kingdom. The song is also known under the title of Mele ʻAi Pōhaku, the "Stone-Eating Song", or Mele Aloha ʻĀina, the "Patriot's Song". It is still popular in Hawaiʻi today, although it is not clear how many non-Hawaiian speaking listeners are aware of the song's historical significance or the profound antipathy to U.S. annexation in its lyrics.
According to Elbert and Mahoe (1970), "The song was considered sacred and not for dancing." However, today hālau hula perform Kaulana Nā Pua as a hula ʻauana for makuahine (a graceful dance for mature women).
The Hawaiian lyrics, with one English translation of them, are:
Kaulana nā pua aʻo Hawaiʻi |
Famous are the children of Hawaiʻi |
Pane mai Hawaiʻi moku o Keawe
|
Hawaiʻi, land of
Keawe answers |
ʻAʻole aʻe kau i ka pūlima |
Do not fix a signature |
ʻAʻole mākou aʻe minamina |
We do not value |
Mahope mākou o Liliʻulani |
We support Liliʻuokalani |
The "government" referred to in the song is the Provisional Government of Hawaii (which was later to become the Republic of Hawaii and subsequently the territory and state), proclaimed by the conspirators upon seizing power. Mrs. Prendergast composed the song for the Royal Hawaiian Band, who:
The Hawaiian Renaissance has lent the song Kaulana Nā Pua renewed significance in recent years. Its words are often cited in the context of the Hawaiian sovereignty movement as an expression of opposition to U.S. rule.
"Kaulana Nā Pua" ("Famous are the flowers") is a Hawaiian patriotic song written by Eleanor Kekoaohiwaikalani Wright Prendergast (April 12, 1865 – December 5, 1902) in 1893 for members of the Royal Hawaiian Band who protested the overthrow of Queen Liliʻuokalani and the Hawaiian Kingdom. The song is also known under the title of Mele ʻAi Pōhaku, the "Stone-Eating Song", or Mele Aloha ʻĀina, the "Patriot's Song". It is still popular in Hawaiʻi today, although it is not clear how many non-Hawaiian speaking listeners are aware of the song's historical significance or the profound antipathy to U.S. annexation in its lyrics.
According to Elbert and Mahoe (1970), "The song was considered sacred and not for dancing." However, today hālau hula perform Kaulana Nā Pua as a hula ʻauana for makuahine (a graceful dance for mature women).
The Hawaiian lyrics, with one English translation of them, are:
Kaulana nā pua aʻo Hawaiʻi |
Famous are the children of Hawaiʻi |
Pane mai Hawaiʻi moku o Keawe
|
Hawaiʻi, land of
Keawe answers |
ʻAʻole aʻe kau i ka pūlima |
Do not fix a signature |
ʻAʻole mākou aʻe minamina |
We do not value |
Mahope mākou o Liliʻulani |
We support Liliʻuokalani |
The "government" referred to in the song is the Provisional Government of Hawaii (which was later to become the Republic of Hawaii and subsequently the territory and state), proclaimed by the conspirators upon seizing power. Mrs. Prendergast composed the song for the Royal Hawaiian Band, who:
The Hawaiian Renaissance has lent the song Kaulana Nā Pua renewed significance in recent years. Its words are often cited in the context of the Hawaiian sovereignty movement as an expression of opposition to U.S. rule.