From the recording Hiʻipoi
Kawohikūkapulani
(Helen Desha Beamer)
This lovely mele was a wedding gift for the composer’s daughter, Helen Elizabeth Kawohikūkapulani Beamer. It speaks of the unbreakable bond between the generations. Our arrangement is based on the instrumental version by Keola Beamer.
PERSONNEL
Paula Kauapalaukī Rudman – vocals
Jim Romano – slack key guitar and vocals
Arrangement by Pūlama
Lyrics
He lei ʻāʻī ʻoe na ke kupuna
A he milimili ʻoe na ka mākua
Pūlama ʻia ʻoe me ke aloha
Hiʻipoi ʻia ʻoe ma kuʻu poli
He lei aloha ʻoe, ua kaulana
I paukū ʻia me ka ʻāhihi
Hoʻohihi nō wau naʻu ʻoe
ʻO koʻu kuleana paʻa nō ia
Haʻina ʻia mai ana ka puana
kuʻu lei nani ʻoe poina ʻole
Hea aku mākou e ō mai ʻoe
ʻO Kawohikūkapulani, he inoa
You are an adornment (neck lei) for the grandparents
And a darling for your parents
Cherished with love
You are cradled on my bosom
You are a beloved lei, renowned
Linked with the ʻāhihi
I too am involved for you are mine
This is my right, permanently
The story is told
You are my beautiful child, unforgettable
We call, you answer
Kawohikūkapulani, your name