from:  The Song Within The Song
track 7.   Ku‘u Pua Mae‘ole 4:13  (Keali‘i Reichel)
 
Keali‘i Reichel is a kumu hula, singer, and haku mele whose vast collection of songs is a gift to harmony singers everywhere. In this song, “My Never-Fading Flower,” he sings a paean to a beloved “placed in the highest reaches…unsurpassed in the lover’s eyes.” Our arrangement adds a light touch of Brazilian jazz.

Lyrics

Ku‘u Pua Mae‘oleWords and Music by: Keali‘i Reichel  E ku‘u pua mae‘ole                Kau i ka wēkiu                       Puia i ke onaona                     Hoehoene i ka poli                           Lua ‘ole i ka maka ē               Pau ‘ole ke aloha ē                 Oh, my dear unfading flowerPlaced on the highest reachesPermeated with fragranceSinging softly to my heartYou are unsurpassed in my eyesAnd this love for you is never-ending         Nani wale ka ‘ikena                Ka wai lana malie         Pū‘olo ku‘u waimaka             I ka hali‘ali‘a                          ‘O ‘oe, e ku‘u li‘a ē                 ‘O ‘oe, e ku‘u lei ē                   Simply beautiful is the lightOf the calm, still watersTears well up in my eyesFrom the loving memoriesIt is you, my own desireIt is you, my precious lei E ō mai kou inoa          E ku‘u pua mae‘ole                Kau i ka wēkiu                       Hoehoene i ka poli                 Lua ‘ole i ka maka ē               Pau ‘ole ke aloha ē                  ‘O ‘oe, e ku‘u li‘a ē                 Give answer to your nameOh my everlasting flowerPlaced on the highest reachesSinging softly to my heartYou are unsurpassed in my eyesAnd this love for you is never-endingIt is you, my own desire