OLI
From the high peak of Lanihuli to the waters of Waikalua, this collection of chants traces the physical and spiritual landscape of Koʻolaupoko. Guided by kūpaʻa (steadfastness), ʻonipaʻa (resilience), and haʻahaʻa (humility), these mele establish our connection to the land, our kūpuna (ancestors/elders), and the living traditions of hula and oli.
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Kū Kilakila Nō ka Mauna i ka ʻOhu
Composed by Kalama Pastor
Mele Kāhea | A chant of request for entry
Kū kilakila nō ka mauna i ka ʻohu
ʻO Lanihuli i ka ua ʻĀpuakea
Kāhiko ʻāhihi, kū i lehua, mohala ʻaʻaliʻi
Kahe ka wai a Kāne i ka Waokele
Ālai ʻia aʻe la e ka Ulumano
Neʻe iho la i ka poli o Waikalua
Nolu ke kai i Mōkapu ē
He lama i ka uluwehi o Laka
Mai paʻa i ka leo, e pane mai paha
Kāhea mai ē
Majestic indeed stands the mountain amidst the mist
It is Lanihuli, shrouded in the soft, misty ʻĀpuakea rain
Adorned in ʻāhihi, standing like the lehua, blooming like the ʻaʻaliʻi
The waters of Kāne flow through the Waokele
Obscured by the strong, gusty Ulumano wind
Stepping down into the heart of Waikalua
Saturating the sea toward Mōkapu
A lama amidst the verdant growth of Laka
Do not withhold the voice, perhaps grant a response
A call sent forth this way
This mele kāhea establishes the chanter's intent at the threshold. Standing before the hālau, the chanter looks up to Lanihuli rising through the mist, acknowledging the mountain that shelters our district and honoring the lineage and legacy of Kumu Maiki Aiu Lake. The forest growth—the ʻāhihi, lehua, and ʻaʻaliʻi—reminds us of the foundational teachers whose guidance paths our journey: Kumu Maiki Aiu Lake, Kumu Mae Kamāmalu Klein, and Kumu Rolanda Mohala Reese. Following the path of water from the high waokele down to Waikalua fishpond, the student offers their voice (leo) in humility, setting aside ego to ask for entry into the peace of the hālau.
Eō ka Leo, he Leo Aloha
Composed by Kalama Pastor
Mele Komo | A chant of welcome and acceptance
Eō ka leo, he leo aloha
Iho mai ka piko o Kilohana
Nolu pū i ka wai o Kawa me Kāneʻohe
Aia i ka poli o Waikalua i ka laʻi
I ka mālamalama a Laʻa
I ka uluwehi mau loa o Laka
E komo, e kipa, aloha ē
The voice is heard/answered, a voice of compassion
Descending from the summit of Kilohana
Saturating together in the waters of Kawa and Kāneʻohe
There at the heart of Waikalua in the profound calm
Into the light of knowledge belonging to Laʻa
Within the eternal verdant growth of Laka
Enter, draw near, you are welcome
Answering the call from the threshold, this mele komo welcomes the chanter into the peaceful sanctuary of Waikalua. The chant traces the physical and spiritual journey of water: descending from the high Koʻolau crest of Kilohana, down through the streams of Kawa and Kāneʻohe into the quiet muliwai (estuary) of Waikalua fishpond. Across Kāneʻohe stream is the sacred shoreline where Laʻamaikahiki established the first drum protocols at Nāonealaʻa. With this chant, the hālau opens its doors, inviting the chanter to step into the light of knowledge (mālamalama) and the protective realm of Laka to begin the work of learning and refinement.
E Hū Mai Nei ke Aloha i ka ʻOhu
Composed by Kalama Pastor
Mele Aloha | A chant of gratitude, greeting, and aloha
E hū mai nei ke aloha i ka ʻohu
He aloha nō, e ka mea hoʻokipa
Eō e Koʻolaupoko i ka lino
Ulu aʻe ka ʻāhihi i ka uka
Mai ka mauna o Lanihuli i ka laʻi
A i ke kai malino o Kāneʻohe
Eia ka haʻaheo i ka ua ʻĀpuakea
Kēhau ka hā i ka hāʻawi aloha
Lino ka pā i ka lino i ke ao
Malu ka huakaʻi i ke aloha pau ʻole
Ke hiʻipoli nei i ka pōmaikaʻi
E pane aku me ka hā haʻahaʻa
Ulu aʻe ka wai ola a ka ʻohu
He aloha nō, he aloha pau ʻole ē
Love swells forth in the mist
Deep greetings indeed, to the gracious host
A call to Koʻolaupoko in splendor
Where the ʻāhihi thrives in the uplands
From the mountain of Lanihuli in the profound calm
To the calm, tranquil sea of Kāneʻohe
Here filled with deep pride in the 'Āpuakea rain
The breath is refreshed as mountain dew in the sharing of aloha
The enclosure is bound in brilliance in the daylight
Sheltered is the journey in boundless love
Cradling the cherished blessing close to the heart
A response offered with the breath of humility
May the mist’s life-giving water inspire us
Greetings indeed, an unending love
Offered in the spirit of aloha aku, aloha mai, this mele aloha serves as the chanter’s response of gratitude to the host, kumu, or community. Opening within the mountain mist and a call to Ko‘olaupoko, the chant spans the geographical axis from the heights of Lanihuli down to the calm sea of Kāneʻohe. Standing within the brilliant enclosure in the daylight (Lino ka pā i ka lino i ke ao), the chanter cradles the blessing of the host close to the chest. With humility (haʻahaʻa), the chant climaxes with a prayer for the life-giving waters of the mist (wai ola a ka ʻohu) to inspire us, concluding with a declaration of unending love.
Kū Au e Hele Mai ka Poli o Waikalua
Composed by Kalama Pastor
Mele Hoʻokuʻu | A chant of departure and mission
Kū au e hele mai ka poli o Waikalua
Pae ka waʻa, ua lana mālie
Hiʻi i ka mālamalama a Laʻa
Kōī ka ʻike i ke ala o ka huakaʻi ē
Huli! E huli ana i uka, kūpono i Lanihuli
Ka leo o ke kāʻeke i ka houpo
E ola i ka pā o Nāonealaʻa
I kū a mohala ai ka uluwehi o Laka ē
Malu ē i ka laʻi, aloha ē
I arise to go forth from the heart of Waikalua
The canoe has reached shore, floating in serene calm
Cradle the light of knowledge belonging to Laʻa
Let knowledge flow steadily upon the path of the journey
Turn! Turning to the uplands, aligned with Lanihuli
With the drum’s resonance vibrating within the chest
May life be with the revered shores of Nāonealaʻa
Through which the verdant growth of Laka shall stand and bloom
Remain shaded in peace, farewell
This mele hoʻokuʻu marks the moment the chanter steps out from the calm of Waikalua back into the world. At the command "Huli!", the chanter turns toward Lanihuli, pivoting from receiving knowledge to carrying it forward. With the steady beat of the kāʻeke drum vibrating within the chest, the chanter leaves not just as a visitor, but as a steward of the land and lineage. The final line leaves a blessing of peace (malu) over the kumu and the hālau, keeping the source grounded as the chanter carries the light out into the community.