From the recording Kolu
Pua ‘Āhihi
(Mary Kawena Pukui and Maddy K. Lam)
Composed on behalf of bandleader Kahauanu Lake as a gift for his wife, Kumu Hula Maiki Aiu Lake (who wrote Aloha Kaua‘i, on our album The Song Within the Song), this mele compares the beloved to an ‘āhihi blossom, a form of lehua.
PERSONNEL
Paula Kauapalaukī Rudman – vocals
Jim Romano – slack key guitar and vocals
Pili Moreno – rhythm and electric lead guitar and vocals
Arrangement by Pūlama and Pili Moreno
Lyrics
Me ʻoe ka ʻanoʻi ē ka ʻāhihi
Ka lei milikaʻa a kaʻu aloha
He aloha makamae ka i hiki mai
He ʻala honehone i ka puʻuwai
He waiwai ʻoe i kaʻu ʻike
Ua kehakeha i luna aʻo Lanihuli
Huli mai nō ʻoe ʻolu kāua
I mehana hoʻi au a i kou poli
Haʻina ka puana no kuʻu lei
Ka pua ʻāhihi aʻo Lanihuli
With you is my desire, o ʻāhihi
The lei caressed again and again by my love
It is a precious love that comes to me
A fragrance teasing the heart
You are of great value in my sight
Majestic atop Lanihuli
Turn towards me, let us comfort one another
Let me be warmed by your embrace
The story is told for my lei
The ʻāhihi blossom of Lanihuli