Pua O Pauoa
by Mahealani Uchiyama

 
Auhea wale oe, pua o Pauoa
Ho`omalu ho`i oe i na kupu
Ke imi ia a`e nei ka mana`o
Hea aku no au e o mai no `oe
 
 
Ke mohala mau nei no kou nani
Ho`ike a maka ke aloha
I ka ulu mau o na liko lehua
A i ka pi`o ana mai o ke anuenue
 
 
Aia i ka noe anu ka hali`a ana mai
I ka nehe a ka makani i ka lau kuku`i
Ua kau a`ela i Lanihuli
A he kahiko no ia o ke aloha.
 
 
He mele no keia no Kamoha`i
He kumu pa`a no na lala ulu
Ua mu ka leo kikaha na`e oe
I ka puka ana o ka la i Ha`eha`e



 
 
Where are you, flower of Pauoa,
You who cared for new growth.
I seek your guidance,
I call to you, answer.
 
 
Your spirit dwells still,
Your love is revealed,
In the spreading growth of the lehua buds
And in the arch of the rainbow.
 
 
There in the misty rain is the fond remembrance
Of the wind rustled kukui leaves.
Placed high above at Lanihuli,
It is a splendor befitting the beloved one.
 
 
This is a song for Kamoha`i,
A steadfast source for those who branch forth.
Your voice is stilled, but your spirit soars,
As the rising of the sun at Ha`eha`e.

 
This song was written in tribute to the composer's beloved Kumu Hula,
Joseph Kamoha`i Kaha`ulelio.