Aliʻi ʻIolani - Traditional
ʻAuhea wale ʻoe e kuʻu aloha ʻeā Neʻeneʻe mai ʻoe, neʻeneʻe mai ʻoe A pili pono Kākona ka ʻiʻini me ka manaʻo Lalawe a ninihi, lalawe a ninihi He maʻū ia Haʻa mai nā hene ua noe luna ʻeā Waiho kāhela, waiho kāhela Luhe i ka wai. He kai nehe mai i ka ʻae one ʻeā I ka pā honehone, i ka pā honehone Hone i ka poli E kuʻu aloha e hone mai ʻoe ʻeā Pipili a mamau, pipili a mamau A hōʻiʻo. Haʻina kuʻu liʻa poina ʻole Ke aloha i pili ʻia, ke aloha i pili ʻia I ka puʻuwai. Hea aku nō wau e ō mai ʻoe ʻeā Aliʻi ʻIolani, Aliʻi ʻIolani Nou ke kahua	Now listen my love Snuggle up, snuggle up Till you're good and close   Desire throbs at the thought Being carried away to the brink Is better than nothing   Misty rain from above comes down the slopes Lying spread out, lying spread out Drooping with water   It's a sea lapping on the soft sand With a sound so appealing Appealing to the heart   Oh my love, tease me gently Cling close as always As if you take this seriously   This tells of my unforgettable desire The love that is held fast In the heart   I call out, oh answer Noble ʻIolani, noble ʻIolani In your honor, this theme
Source: Hillier Collection, "Genoa Keawe By Request" Album - ʻIolani (Royal hawk) was one of the names of Alexander Liholiho, Kamehameha IV, who came to the throne at age 21, in 1855, and reigned until 1863. This song was probably written before 1856, when the King married Emma Rooke. As was the custom, the song became the property of the one whom it honored, the composer remaining anonymous. Some credit the music to Helen Parker. Hawaiian Text edited by Puakea Nogelmeier