MAHALO MAU - NA KUMU HULA - UA MAU - EA! Kô`ula (red sugar cane) is the old name of a valley and stream in Hanapêpê. Manawaiopuna (stream branch of puna), the 200 foot waterfall at the lower end of Kô`ula is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Hawai`i. Unfortunately, it is almost inaccessible. Legend has it that a shark god inhabited the spring behind the waterfall. This song was written to preserve the true name of the place -- Manowaiopuna. When the missionaries became involved in such matters, they felt that it was heathen to call a place after a shark god and changed the name to Manawaiopuna but felt that was not acceptable either, since it was not a sacred place to the missionaries. Eventually they settled on the name Ko`ula -- red sugar cane, which was an innocuous name and one from which the missionary families would greatly profit. This song celebrates the true name of the place and thus keeps the name alive and on the lips of those who would sing the song. The song is attributed to Alvin K. Isaac, although some say the mele is much older than that. Kaleo Naea of Kaua`i says his tutu wrote the song. All I know it is a beautiful mele and the hula as taught by Mapuana de Silva is indeed beautiful. Please see huapala.org for lyrics and translation. youtu.be/Fod6VxMilEo
Posted on: Sat, 27 Dec 2014 18:26:01 +0000