‘akaka falls

This mele is a favorite of many, but it's really only become special to me in the past few months.

Malihini ku‘u ‘ike ‘ana
Kahi wailele ‘o ‘Akaka
Kau mai lā i luna
Lele hunehune mai lā i nā pali
Lele hunehune mai lā i nā pali

Kau nui aku kahi mana‘o
A e ‘iki uhi aku i ka nani
I ‘uka i puīa
I ke ‘ala me ke onaona
I ke ‘ala me ke onaona

Onaona wale ho‘i i uka
I ka pa‘a mau ‘ia e ka noe
I ‘uka kū paoa
E moani nei i ku‘u poli
E moani nei i ku‘u poli

Na ke Akua mana loa
E kia‘i maluhia mai
I kēia mau pua
O ku‘u ‘āina aloha
O ku‘u ‘āina aloha

I ne‘e oe kū au e ‘ako
I ka pua o ka ‘awapuhi
I laila nō ka malihini
Na‘u ia a e honihoni
Na‘u ia a e honihoni

Ha‘ina ‘ia mai ka puana
I kahi wailele ‘o ‘Akaka
Kau mai lā i luna
Lele hunehune mai la i nā pali
Lele hunehune mai la i nā pali

As a stranger, I saw
The waterfall of ‘Akaka
From high above
The water flows gently down the cliff
The water flows gently down the cliff

One great thought arises
Of being overcome by the beauty
Of the sweet-smelling uplands
Fragrant and lovely
Fragrant and lovely

Alluring also are the uplands
Continually one with the misty rain
Whose overwhelming scent
Is welcomed into my heart
Is welcomed into my heart

It is for the Almighty
To guide and protect
The precious people
Of my beloved land
Of my beloved land

As I continue, I stop to pluck
The flower of the wild ginger
There it is a rarity
Mine to be smelled and kissed
Mine to be smelled and kissed

Tell the refrain
The waterfall of ‘Akaka
From high above
The water flows gently down the cliff
The water flows gently down the cliff

~ words & music by Helen Parker

I love the lyrics (guess I never really paid attention to them before) + everyone knows white ginger is my favorite pua...