A Waho Makou o Awawamalu
Chant for Oʻahu: A Waho Mākou o Āwawamalu
Oʻahu, the child of Papa and Lua according to one tradition, is honored in this chant composed by Kumu Hula Manu Boyd and performed by Kumu Hula Snowbird Bento. This chant asks for entry into a protected realm of hula, traditional knowledge, sacred practices, creativity, mutual respect and aloha.
It begins at Oʻahu’s easternmost point of Āwawamalu, also known as Sandy Beach. Hālona, the name of the well-known blow hole nearby, means to peer or to be watchful – a good trait in learning. Hālona’s sea spray represents the knowledge that would be shared.
Mailikukahi, an ancient chief of Oʻahu, is credited for establishing the six land divisions, or moku, that segment the island, which are Koʻolaupoko, Koʻolauloa, Waialua, Waiʻanae, ʻEwa and Kona.
I kahi a ka la ē puka mai ai
Olali na ale hanupanupa o Kaiwi
Oaka halona i ke poipoi ehu kai
Ike i ka nani o Oʻahu a Lua
ʻāina kau i ka hano Mailikukahi
Lokahi ke aloha ē welina mai nei
No Koʻolaupoko i ka lai o Mololani
No Koʻolauloa i ka Malualuakiiwai
No Waialua i ka ihikapu o Kukaniloko
No Waiʻanae i ke alo kehau o Kaala
No ʻEwa i ka lei momi o ka iʻa hamau leo
No Kona i ka papa konane aʻo mamala
Mālama iho iʻa ke aloha no ka ʻāina uluwehiwehi
E hea mai ka leo i pae aku mākou i uka
He noi leo kēia, he kānaenae i aloha ē, ʻae
We are offshore of Āwawamalu
Where the sun bursts forth on the horizon
The animated waves of Kaiwi shimmer
Hālona freely releases its misty contents
Behold the splendor of Oʻahu, child of Lua
Esteemed domain of Mailikukahi
United is our love, our greeting
For Koʻolaupoko in the calm of Mololani
For Koʻolauloa in the water-fetching Malualua breeze
For Waialua in the sacredness of Kukaniloko
For Waiʻanae in the dew-laden presence of Kaala
For ʻEwa, the string of pearls of the silent fish (oysters)
For Kona and Māmala’s konane board by the sea
Love for this beautiful place is well tended
Call out your voice of welcome that we may come ashore
This is our earnest plea, our chant of praise
Answer!