Kaulana Nā Pua
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c4/Eleanor_Kekoaohiwaikalani_Wright_Prendergast.jpg/220px-Eleanor_Kekoaohiwaikalani_Wright_Prendergast.jpg)
"Kaulana Nā Pua" ("Famous Are the Flowers") is a Hawaiian patriotic song written by Eleanor Kekoaohiwaikalani Wright Prendergast in 1893 for members of the Royal Hawaiian Band who protested the overthrow of Queen Liliʻuokalani and the Hawaiian Kingdom. The song is also known under the titles of "Mele ʻAi Pōhaku" ("Stone-Eating Song") or "Mele Aloha ʻĀina" ("Patriot's Song"). It is still popular in Hawaii today, although it is not clear how many non-Hawaiian speaking listeners are aware of the song's historical significance or the profound antipathy to U.S. annexation in its lyrics.
According to Elbert and Mahoe (1970), "The song was considered sacred and not for dancing." However, today hālau hula perform "Kaulana Nā Pua" as a hula ʻauana for makuahine (a graceful dance for mature women).
Hawaiian original | English translation |
---|---|
Kaulana nā pua aʻo Hawaiʻi | Famous are the children of Hawaii |
The "government" referred to in the song is the Provisional Government of Hawaii (which was later to become the Republic of Hawaii and subsequently the territory and state), proclaimed by the conspirators upon seizing power. Mrs. Prendergast composed the song for the Royal Hawaiian Band, who:
- … had just walked out on their jobs after the bandmaster demanded they sign an oath of loyalty to the Provisional Government. The bandmaster said they had to sign or they would be eating rocks. It is obvious that they meant it was not right to sell one's loyalty to their country for money. If we hold on to the land, the land will always feed us. … [L]and endures. [1]
- —Noenoe Silva, assistant professor in political science, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, in Honolulu Weekly.
The Hawaiian Renaissance has lent the song "Kaulana Nā Pua" renewed significance in recent years. Its words are often cited in the context of the Hawaiian sovereignty movement as an expression of opposition to U.S. rule.
Notes
- ^ a b Also sung as "A kau hou ʻia e ke kalaunu." ("She will be crowned again.")
References
- Elbert, Samuel H. and Noelani Mahoe, "Nā Mele o Hawaiʻi Nei, 101 Hawaiian Songs", University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu, 1970, ISBN 0-87022-219-8
- Nordyke, Eleanor C.; Noyes, Martha H. (1993). "Kaulana Na Pua: A Voice for Sovereignty". The Hawaiian Journal of History. 27. Honolulu: Hawaiian Historical Society: 27–42. hdl:10524/172. OCLC 60626541.
- Liliuokalani, "Hawaii's Story by Hawaii's Queen", Charles E. Tuttle Company, Inc., Tokyo, Japan, 1964
- v
- t
- e
- Albert "Sonny" Cunha
- Sol Hoʻopiʻi
- Alvin Kaleolani Isaacs
- Haunani Kahalewai
- Mekia Kealakaʻi
- John Kameaaloha Almeida
- Irmgard Farden Aluli
- Robert Alexander Anderson
- Bina Mossman
- David Nape
- Songs honored: Hawaii Aloha, Ua Like No A Like, Kaulana Na Pua, Makalapua and Na Ali`i
- Maddy Lam
- Hawaiian Chanters: Keaulumoku, Ka`opulupulu, Kapoukahi, Kapihe and Hewahewa
- Songs honored: Alika, Kalama'ula, Wehiwehi 'Oe
- Kahauanu Lake
- Kawaiahaʻo Church
- Alfred Alohikea
- Kahauanu Lake Trio
- Bill Ali'iloa Lincoln
- Henry W. Waia`u
- Mahi Beamer
- The Brothers Cazimero
- Charles K.L. Davis
- Linda Dela Cruz
- Nina Keali`iwahamana
- Emma Veary
- Bill Ka'iwa
- Jesse Kalima
- Eddie Kamae
- Donald McDiarmid Sr.
- Peter Moon
- Marlene Sai
- John Pi'ilani Watkins
- Joseph Ae'a
- Elizabeth "Lizzie" Kahau Kauanui Alohikea
- Anuhea Audrey Brown
- Thomas Kihei Desha Brown
- Alice Angeline Johnson
- John Keola Lake
- Albert Po'ai Nahale-a Sr.
- Leo Nahenahe Singers
- Palani Vaughan
- James Kaʻupena Wong
- Hui Ohana
- Thomas Sylvester Kalama
- Dennis Kamakahi
- Ma'iki Aiu Lake
- Kui Lee
- Pat Namaka Bacon
- Andy Cummings
- Ernest Kaʻai
- Richard Kauhi Quartet
- Keali'i Reichel
- Joseph Ilalaole
- Benny Kalama
- Sam Li'a Kalainaina
- Akoni Mika
- Alice Namakelua
- Olomana
- James Pihanui Kuluwaimaka Palea
- Ka Leo Hawai‘i
- George Kainapau
- Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau
- George Na'ope
- Harry Owens
- Song honored: Hawaii Ponoi
- Kamaka Hawaii, Inc. (ukulele maker)
- Matthew H. Kane
- Iolani Luahine
- Napua Stevens
- Don Ho
- Lokalia Montgomery
- Lei Collins
- Halekulani Girls (Alice Fredlund, Sybil Bright Andrews, Linda Dela Cruz)
- Jerry Byrd
- Darrell Lupenui
- Thaddius Wilson
- O'Brian Eselu
- Johnny Noble
- Jean “Kini” Sullivan
- John Kaimikaua
- Mamo Howell
- Danny Kaleikini
- Richard “Babe” Bell
- The Isaacs ‘Ohana
- The Kanaka’ole ‘Ohana
- Krash Kealoha
- Jacqueline "Skylark" Rossetti
- Kimo Kahoano
- Karen Keawehawai’i
- Melveen Leed
- Israel Kamakawiwoʻole
- Beamer ‘Ohana (Nona, Keola, Kapono)
- Bray ‘Ohana (Daddy and Lydia Bray)
- Ho‘opi‘i Brothers (Richard and Solomon)
- Kahananui ‘Ohana (Dorothy Kahananui and Dorothy Gillett)
- Saichi Kawahara
- Literary award: He Mele Aloha: A Hawaiian Songbook (Vicky Hollinger, Kimo Hussey, Puakea Nogelmeier, Carol Wilcox), The Queen’s Songbook (Dorothy Kahananui Gillett, Barbara Smith and Hui Hanai)
- Pua Haʻaheo
- Marta Hohu
- Leila Hohu Kiaha
- David “Feet” Rogers
- Harry B. Soria Jr.
- Kauʻi Zuttermeister
- Hawaiian Room musicians from the Lexington Hotel, NYC
- Paused due to the global pandemic
- Jules Ah See
- Kihei de Silva
- Mapuana de Silva
- Kawaikapuokalani Hewitt
- David Kalama
- Makua Laiana
- Lorenzo Lyons
- Mary P. Robins
External links
- http://www.huapala.org/Kaulana_Na_Pua.html
- http://www.hawaiimusicmuseum.org/forum/songs/tp181.html