From the recording Hiʻipoi

Ku‘u Home O Kahalu‘u
(Jerry Santos)

As a young man living on the mainland in San Francisco, Jerry Santos wrote this ode to his home in Kahalu‘u on O‘ahu. This beautiful mele of lost innocence, a perennial favorite, was first performed by the original Olomana (Jerry Santos and Robert Beaumont), one of our great inspirations.

PERSONNEL
Paula Kauapalaukī Rudman – vocals
Jim Romano – slack key guitar and vocals

Arrangement by Pūlama

Lyrics

I remember days when we were younger
We used to catch ʻoʻopu in the mountain stream
Round the Koʻolau hills we’d ride on horseback
So long ago its seems it was a dream

Last night I dreamt I was returning
And my heart called out to you
But I fear I am not as I left you
Me ke aloha kuʻu home o Kahaluʻu

I remember days when we were wiser
When our world was small enough for dreams
And you have lingered there my sister
And I no longer can, it seems

Last night I dreamt I was returning
And my heart called out to you
But I fear you won’t be like I left you
Me ke aloha kuʻu home o Kahaluʻu

HUI
Change is a strange thing it cannot be denied
It can help you find yourself or make you lose your pride
Move with it slowly, as on the road we go
Please do no hold on to me, we all must sail alone

I remember days when we were smiling
When we would laugh and dance the whole night long
And I will greet you as I find you
With the sharing of a brand new song

Last night I dreamt I was returning
And my heart called out to you
Won’t you please accept me as you find me
Me ke aloha kuʻu home o Kahaluʻu