Aloha ʻĀina

Papahana Aloha ʻĀina Hawaiʻiʻs foundation of Aloha ʻĀina is grounded in ʻike kupuna and the teachings of those who have come before us. We find our inspiration of Aloha ʻĀina in mele, moʻolelo, and kanaka experience.

Please find another recording of this mele and lyrics shared by Tūtū Kane at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P52JvYR2cBQ

Ke Aloha ʻĀina

The mele Ke Aloha ʻĀina was composed by Queen Liliʻuokalani after release from house arrest. It is dated 1896. Mele Ke Aloha ʻĀina was published in the nūpepa Ka Makaʻāinana on October 5, 1896. Ke Aloha ʻĀina expresses the Queenʻs love for the land, its beauty, its people, and her patriotism of aloha ʻāina. "He lei he aloha kēia no kuʻu one hānau......"

*Audio track by Hale Kuamoʻo. Kainani Kahaunaele, lead vocals & ʻukulele. Kalena Silva, supporting vocals. Bruce Torres Fischer on piano. Kinohi Neves on upright bass.

ALOHA

Akahai, Lōkahi, ʻOluʻolu, Haʻahaʻa, Ahonui (Paki)
Ala, Lōkahi, ʻOiaʻiʻo, Haʻahaʻa, Ahonui (Bray)
Love, respect, care, grace
Sharing hā in the presence of others
The face of the four; the embodiment of the four
Word for God (Book of John, Aramaic New Testament)

ʻĀINA

Sustenance; that which sustains and provides for us*
Food
Place where there is food; where we can eat and find nourishment and sustenance
Activation of ʻī, spirit, in tangible form

*The Meaning of ʻĀina in Hawaiian Tradition

Famous ALOHA QUOTES by Kupuna Pilahi Paki:

"Aloha is the universe."

"The world will turn to Hawaiʻi as they search for world peace because Hawaiʻi has the key...and that key is aloha."

Mele Aloha ʻĀina

Published in the nūpepa Aloha ʻĀina on June 13, 1896, Mele Aloha ʻĀina was composed by Ellen Kekoahiwaikalani Prendergast. A talented composer, Kekoahiwaikalani was a close friend of the royal family. The song was written at the request of members of the Royal Hawaiian Band, following the overthrow. Mele Aloha ʻĀina, also known as Mele ʻAi Pōhaku, and now today most commonly known as Kaulana Nā Pua, is a song of patriotism and love for the land and the people. Appropriately so, its name is translated as the Patriotʻs Song.

Mele Aloha ʻĀina was made popular in the 1970ʻs by the Peter Moon Band (directly below). At that time, Larry Kimura composed Ke Au Hawaiʻi, the prelude that now commonly precedes the song. More recently, Project Kuleana produced a rendition of Mele Aloha ʻĀina (below), gathering Hawaiian youth and artists from around the islands to promote lōkahi, kuleana, and aloha ʻāina.

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