From the recording The Song Within the Song
Ku‘u Pua Mae‘ole
(Keali‘i Reichel)
Keali‘i Reichel is a kumu hula, singer, and haku mele whose vast collection of songs is a gift to harmony singers everywhere. In this song, “My Never-Fading Flower,” he sings a paean to a beloved “placed in the highest reaches…unsurpassed in the lover’s eyes.” Our arrangement adds a light touch of Brazilian jazz.
PERSONNEL
Paula Kauapalaukī Rudman – vocals
Jim Romano – slack key guitar and vocals
Arrangement by Pūlama
Lyrics
E kuʻu pua maeʻole
Kau i ka wēkiu
Puia i ke onaona
Hoehoene i ka poli
Lua ʻole i ka maka ē
Pau ʻole ke aloha ē
Nani wale ka ʻikena
Ka wai lana mālie
Pūʻolo kuʻu waimaka
I ka haliʻaliʻa
ʻO ʻoe, e kuʻu liʻa ē
ʻO ʻoe, e kuʻu liʻa ē
E ō mai kou inoa
E kuʻu pua maeʻole
Kau i ka wēkiu
Hoehoene i ka poli
Lua ʻole i ka maka ē
Pau ʻole ke aloha ē
Oh, my dear unfading flower
Placed on the highest reaches
Permeated with fragrance
Singing softly to my heart
You are unsurpassed in my eyes
And this love for you is never-ending
Simply beautiful is the light
Of the calm, still waters
Tears well up in my eyes
From the loving memories
It is you, my own desire
It is you, my precious lei
Give answer to your name
Oh my everlasting flower
Placed on the highest reaches
Singing softly to my heart
You are unsurpassed in my eyes
And this love for you is never-ending