From the recording The Song Within the Song
Aloha Kaua‘i
(Maiki Aiu)
Because we loved it so much, we took this version of Aloha Kaua‘i straight from the source: kumu hula and songwriter Maiki Aiu’s 1970’s recording with her husband’s band, the Kahauanu Lake Trio. We picked up the tempo to accommodate our hula dancers.
PERSONNEL
Paula Kauapalaukī Rudman – vocals
Jim Romano – slack key guitar and vocals
Arrangement by Pūlama
Lyrics
Aloha mokihana, pua o Kauaʻi
Wili ʻia me ka maile lau liʻiliʻi
Maile liʻiliʻi
He uʻi onaona, he aloha wau iā ʻoe
Me aʻu, me ʻoe i ka puʻu wai
HUI
Aloha nō ʻo Kauaʻi
Luana hoʻokipa malihini
Puana kaulana ka inoa o Kauaʻi
Haʻaheo he nani hiwahiwa
Kauaʻi, he nani nō ʻoe
Beloved is the mokihana, flower of Kauaʻi
Entwined with the dainty-leafed maile
Maile so dainty
A fragrant loveliness, I love you
Be close to my heart
CHORUS
Beloved indeed is Kauaʻi
And the home, Luana, so welcoming to visitors
The story is told of the fame of the name Kauaʻi
Proud, a cherished beauty
Kauaʻi, you are beautiful indeed