From the recording Kolu
Pua ‘Ōlena
(James K. Kaholokula Sr.)
The pua ‘ōlena, flower of the turmeric plant, is usually hidden among its leaves and is only briefly visible when it blooms. The kaona is love for a person who, similarly, usually “hides their light under a bushel.”
PERSONNEL
Paula Kauapalaukī Rudman – vocals
Jim Romano – slack key guitar and vocals
Pili Moreno – rhythm guitar and vocals
Arrangement by Pūlama and Pili Moreno
Lyrics
Pua ʻōlena, pua moe wale
I ka nahele e moe nei
Ka ua noe makaliʻi
E ala mai, hōʻike mai
I kou nani
Pua ʻōlena, pua ʻōlena
Pua ʻōlena, dream filled beauty
Of my garden deep in slumber
Kissed by misty summer rain
Come with me, come let’s see
Of your beauty
Pua ʻōlena, pua ʻōlena
Lau ʻōlena, lau pālulu
E peʻe nei kāu mōhala
ʻO ka makani hāwanawana
Hōʻike nei, pua ʻōlena
I kou nani
Pua ʻōlena, pua ʻōlena
Haʻina mai ka puana
Pua moe wale, pua moe ʻole
I ka nahele o Hanalei
Come with me, come let’s see
Of your beauty
Pua ʻōlena, pua ʻōlena
ʻŌlena flower, blossom that sleeps
In the forest, slumbering
The fine, misty rains appear
Awaken, display
Your beauty
ʻŌlena flower, ʻōlena flower
ʻŌlena leaf, sheltering
Your blossoming forth is concealed
The wind whispers to you
ʻŌlena flower, show
Your beauty
ʻŌlena flower, ʻōlena flower
The story is in the refrain
Of the slumbering flower not really asleep
In the forest of Hanalei
Come with me come, come let’s see
Of your beauty
ʻŌlena flower, ʻōlena flower