From the recording Hi‘ipoi - track 1. Mele Ho‘okipa
Track 1. Mele Ho‘okipa 2:37 (words traditional, music by James Romano)
A beautiful couple wanted their wedding ceremony to begin with the strength of Hawaiian chant combined with music. We chose the Oli Aloha or Oli Ho‘okipa (welcoming chant). The words say, “Surely, this is a place of fragrant flowers, now that you have come, with your aloha.”
Lyrics
Mele Ho‘okipa
Words Traditional - from “Oli Aloha” the welcoming chant
Music by Jim Romano
Onaona i ka hala me ka lehua Fragrant with the breath of hala and lehua
He wahi lehua no ia na ka noe This is the sight I long to see
O ka‘u no ia e ‘ano‘i nei Of this, my present desire
E li‘a nei ho‘i o ka hiki mai Your coming fills me with eagerness
A hiki mai no ‘oukou Now that you have come
Hiki pu no me ke aloha Love comes with you
Aloha e, aloha e, aloha e Greetings, greetings, greetings