ALL MELE HAVE KAONA.

Each Mele that is composed has its own nature, and there are results that follow that cannot be avoided. Should the words of the composition be good from beginning to end, then those who understand mele composition [haku mele] will say that the mele (prayer) is a good one; however, should the words be off, and syllables are dropped, and words of unfortunate nature result, those knowledgeable in haku mele will say that the pule (mele) is not good.

A mele is a prophesy in times of trouble, and it is a prayer that asks to be fulfilled. So it was in the ancient times of Miriam folks; and so it was in ancient times in Hawaii nei, and so it is today.

We publish once again the famous mele composed by Mrs. Kekoaohiwaikalani pertaining to our Hawaiian Band [Bana Lahui] who are enduring the hardships of these trying times we are living in.

[Doesn’t this sound like a call from the past to those of today?]

(Leo o ka Lahui, 9/8/1893, p. 2)

Ka Leo o ka Lahui, Buke II, Helu 765, Aoao 2. Sepatemaba 8, 1893.