In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the passing of Queen Liliʻuokalani, Hawai‘i’s last reigning monarch, the Hawaiʻi State Archives is pleased to announce the digital release of the Queen Liliʻuokalani Photograph Exhibition.
Hawaii State Archives, Photograph Collection, PP-98-13-019
From ancient times, from all the way into the realm of po, from early on, from the very beginning, born was the aloha of Hawaiian Men, Hawaiian Women, and the Offspring of their loins, for their Alii, all the way until this very day; it would seem that it is greater than anything else pertaining to their sovereign, and it would seem there is no greater proof than the words pronounced by our King Kauliluaikeanuwaialeale [Kalakaua], when he went on that famous trip around the world in the year 1881, and upon his treading once more upon his birth sands; this is what he stated:
KE KAENA A KA MOI KALAKAUA.
Ua kaahele au maluna o ka ilihonua me ka moana,
A Inia mamao, a me Kina kaulana,
Hoea i na aekai o Aferika, a na palena o Europa,
A halawai me ka ikaika o na aina a pau,
A ia’u i ku ai ma ka aoao o na Poo Aupuni,
Ka poe mana maluna o ka lakou ma ka hiehie Alii,
Hoomaopopo iho la i ka uku-iki, a nawaliwali o Ko’u,
Me Ko’u Nohoalii i hookahuaia maluna o kahi puu Pele,
A ma kahi o na miliona i hooko i ka keia mau Moi,
He mau tausani wale iho no malalo o Ko’u malu,
Aka, ka upu nei loko, Na’u ke Kaena hiki,
Aia he mau nani maloko o na poai o Ko’u mau aekai—
I oi aku ka makamae i ka O’u mau hoa Moi,
Aohe O’u kumu hopo maloko o Ko’u Aupuni,
He hiki ke hui me Ko’u lahui me ka weli ole,
Aohe maka’u No’u iho, me ke kiai pili-paa ole ia,
A Na’u ke Kaena, he momi i hoounaia mailuna mai Na’u—
Eia ia’u ke aloha oiaio o Ko’u Lahui.
[The first time I heard these powerful words was from a Palani Vaughan record (and looking back, I think he is one of the many reasons why this blog exists today). I heard it and thought man, that is definitely not a boast that could seriously be claimed by any other of his fellow leaders of his time (so much less by those of today). And when I first saw Kalakaua’s words restated in this article after the overthrow, it made the statement even more profound. This, by the way, was so important that they reprinted it again on 1/21/1893!
For the English version from an article right after Kalakaua’s return, click here! Learn the stories!! Pass them forward!!!]
(Hawaii Holomua, 1/18/1893, p. 3)
Hawaii Holomua, Buke III, Helu 141, Aoao 3. Ianuari 18, 1893.
To be given by the Famous Choir of Kawaiahao, under the Direction of Her Highness the Chiefess Lilia K. Dominis, assisted by His Highness the Chief W. P. Leleiohoku, in Kawaiahao Church on this coming Saturday, June 12. Continue reading
He wehi keia no Le’akahele
Kahi’apaiole o ka Makakila
He Elele hopo ole na ka Lahui
He imi kaulike no Hawaii
Na Le’akahele i hue pau aku
Ma ke Telegarapa lawe olelo
Hoike ana hoi me ka wiwo ole
No Hawaii moku kele i ke kai Continue reading
He inoa keia no Kapiolani
Napelakapu i ka Wekiu
He kuini hoi oe no Hawaii
Puuwai hamama no ka lahui
Imia ana hoi oe me ka noeau
I ka pono kau like a o Hawaii
Lohea kou leo e pae ana
Hooulu lahui ko’u makia
Hea mai ka leo Napelakapu
Me ka nawali hoi me ka nanahe
Nahenahe ko leo i pae mai
I kaui ana mai pehea wau Continue reading
He lei he wehi nou e Kalani
O Liliu i ka walu o na lani
Aia i Hawaii ko lei alii
Ka onohi kaimana o ke aupuni
Mai puni oe i ka mali a ka u’a
A ka ili puakea o Maleka
Huli mai ko alo kapu e Kalani
E aloha i ke kupa o ka aina
Aia i ka poho o ko lima
Ke ola o ka lahui Hawaii
Ua ike Makalii me Kaelo
Ua lohe ka uwila ka pae opua
A he pua o Kalani aia iluna
Ke kiekie no i Halealii
Haina ka wohi nona ka lei
O Liliu i ka walu o na lani.
Aia i Maui ko lei alii
Ka luna kiekie Haleakala
Alawa iho oe o Waialeale
Ka popohe a ka pua o ka ohelo
A he pua nani loa helu ekahi
Ua like me ka lauae o Makana
He makana lei momi nou e Kalani
Na ke Kuini mai o Pelekane
Haina ka wohi nona ka lei
O Liliu i ka walu o na lani. Continue reading
All of you True Hawaiians, raise your Hawaiian Flags to proudly flutter in the wind on this day of the Royal One! Continue reading
The Hawaiian Navy flag, from a design by Mrs. Strong, contains in the center, on a white back ground, a gold crown resting on a yellow shield. The shield contains a white tabu stick [puloulou], crossed by two red kahilis, Continue reading
Hawaiian Music.—It is something to hear of Hawaiians, who but a few years ago, as a nation, possessed no other songs but the semi-barbarous Meles of their ancestors, and no other music than the montonous “ah—ah,——o—oo—u—uu,” of former years,—it is something pleasingly new to have to note the appearance of a neatly lithographed sheet of music for sale in the bookstore, both the words and music of which were composed by a Hawaiian lady. The title describes the sentiments expressed in the composition—”He Mele Lahui Hawaii,” or, in English, “A Hawaiian National Hymn.” The words are not rhyme, but read smoothly, with the euphony characteristic of the Hawaiian tongue, and the music is very sweet, the first few bars resembling those of the popular song of “Hazel Dell.” When sung by a full choir of natives, many of whom, male and female, have well managed voices of peculiar sweetness of tone, the “National Hymn,” expressing as it does both piety and patriotism, cannot fail to become popular. The lithography is very creditably done at Newcomb & Co’s book-bindery. We subjoin a translations of the words:
Almighty Father, bend thine ear,
And list the nation’s prayer,
That lowly bows before thy throne,
And seeks thy fostering care.
Grant thy peace throughout the land,
O’er each sunny sea-girt isle;
Keep the nation’s life, O Lord,
And upon our Sovereign smile. Continue reading
The words and music of the Hawaiian national anthem are both the composition of Mrs. Lila K. Dominis, the sister of King Kalakaua. The first part of the hymn we transcribe for the edification of our readers:
Ka Makua Mana Loa,
Malin wai ia wakou,
E haliu aku rei.
We wa hian haahan,
E wan ka waluhia
O rei Pae Alna,
Wal Hawaiia Nuhan,
Mololo o Kou Malu. Continue reading
nupepa 