A MELE FOR KAAHUMANU.

To the Editor of the Kuokoa, Aloha oe:

In the Kuokoa of the 26th of April 1907, I saw a Mele Kanikau for Queen Kaahumanu composed by David Malo in 1834, and this kanikau was printed in “Ka Hae Hawaii” in 1856. David Malo himself composed it.

I am in possession of a pillow mele [uluna] for Kaahumanu; Papohaku is the woman who composed this mele, and she is the one who composed the Uluna for all the other alii, except for Kaahumanu.

Therefore, the alii was very upset. Kaahumanu sent her Messenger to go to Papohaku. “Make known the desire of the Alii.”

A Uluna for her [is her desire], and if you do not have one, the result will be your death.

Hana Uluna i ka lani ka paka a ka ua,
Napele Kalalau owali i ka Makani
Nawali lua i ka nahua ia e Mahamoku,
Moku Mamalahoa li-e i ke anu,
Kaka i ka onohi hemo o ke Koolau
I na pane onohi o ka Ua o Mana
Hoolai ka mahu Elele i ka pohu
Nopu Wailua i ka Waihalau i ke kai—e
Makemake loko i ka moe a ke Aloha,

E aloha e,
SIMON PAALUHI,
Kapalama, April 30, 1907.

(Kuokoa, 5/3/1907, p. 5)