From the recording Hiʻipoi
Mele Ho‘okipa
(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.”
PERSONNEL
Paula Kauapalaukī Rudman – vocals
Jim Romano – slack key guitar and vocals
Arrangement by Pūlama
Lyrics
Onaona i ka hala me ka lehua
He hale lehua nō ia na ka noe
ʻO kaʻu nō ia e ʻanoʻi nei
E liʻa nei hoʻi o ka hiki mai
Ā hiki mai nō ʻoe/ʻolua/ʻoukou
Hiki pū nō me ke aloha
Aloha ē, aloha ē, aloha ē
Fragrant with blossoms of hala and lehua
This is indeed a house of lehua in the mist
This is what I have been wishing for
Longing for your arrival
Now that you have come
Aloha comes with you
Aloha, aloha, aloha