As a song writer, many personal experiences influence my writing. It is an opportunity for me to capture a moment in time and embrace the fond memories. Haku Mele is another way of expressing your inner most feelings as we do in hula.
Nau No Ku’u Aloha and A Luna I Ka Pali were both nominated for the Na Hoku Hanohano awards for Haku Mele (best song written in the Hawaiian Language)
Other songs like Kupu’eu and Niihau O Kahelelani were performed on the Merrie Monarch stage. A Luna I Ka Pali, Hamama I Ka ‘Iu, Alawa Mai, and Mokapu I Ka Malie were performed by Halau in other hula competitions.
Understanding the Mele, and the interpretation of the Mele are crucial in the retelling of the story. It is proper protocol to ask permission from the composer before choreographing and performing any male.
These Mele give you a little glimpse of who I am and all the things that has helped shape the person that I have become, the experiences, the heart aches, the life giving moments, the struggles, everything that makes me me.
| Mailani | Sean Na’auao | Hu’ewa | ||
| O Ka Leo O Ke Kai | Kupu’eu | A Luna I Ka Pali | ||
| No Ko’olau Ku’u Aloha | He Lei Makana | |||
| Alawa Mai | Nau No Ku’u Aloha | |||
| Nani Ke Aloha | Ni’ihau o Kahelelani | |||
| Hamama I Ka ‘Iu | Nou E Kahiau | |||
| Ku’u Lei Pikake Aloha | ||||
| Mokapu I Ka Malie |
O Ka Leo O Ke Kai
Mailani Makainai – Alo I Ke Alo EP
O ka leo o ke kai It is the sound of the sea
E apo mai iaʻu That captivates me
I luna ka lā wela ‘o Keauhou Above the hot sun of Keauhou
Mehana i ka ʻili Warm to the skin
Hoʻohihi ka manaʻo My mind is fascinated
I ka uʻi ʻO Kaleiopapa By the beauty of Kaleiopapa
He wahi aloha A beloved place
Ua nani maoli nō Never fading in its beauty
Noho a kali nei I sit and wait
Pulu i ka hunakai Dampened by the sea spray
Ka ʻiʻini a Moku kaniʻula Desires Moku Kani’ula
E hea mai nei iaʻu Beckoning to me
Eo e Ke ali’i Our beloved chief
o Kauikeaouli Kauikeaouli (Kekuaokalani)
mau loa ka pilina Binding us forever
Ka pilina a ke aloha The love that binds
Kupu’eu
Sean Na’auao – Neutralize It
Pua na maka i ke ao
He makana he aloha no na makua la
Hele i’o i ‘ane’i like ka ulili e
Me na maka kilo na maka koa la
Ka’awili a huli oe i ka la
Ka nalu ‘eu ua pae ‘ia la
Ke ala nei na kupuna
He alakai i ke ala pono la
Ha’ina ‘ia mai ana ka puana la
Ka ‘eu ke kupu ke kolohe la
No Ko’olau Ku’u Aloha
Mailani Makainai – Manawa
NO KO’OLAU KU’U ALOHA
No Kahalu’u ku’u aloha For Kahala’u is my affection
I ka maluhia o ke Koolau In the protection of the Koolau mountains
I ke aumoe ke kilolani Star gazing in the early morning
I na hoku e ‘imo ai The stars twinkle so brightly
I na hinano e ho’oheno nei The hinano flower so cherished
No Kane’ohe ku’u aloha For Kaneohe is my affection
I ka nohona I ka lihi kai Situated near the oceans edge
I ke kai ke mapu nei At the sea is the scent
I ke ‘ala o ka lauw’e The fragrance of the laua’e
Hiki pu me ke aloha Brought forth with great affection
No Kailua ku’u aloha For Kailua is my affection
I lei ‘ia I ka ‘ehukai Encircled by the sea spray
I ka ‘ehukai ho’opulu I ka ‘ili The sea spray that wets the skin
I ‘ane’ane ai ku’u ‘i’ini A great desire swells within
I laila kaua e pili To be there together
No Ko’olau ku’u aloha For the Koolau district is my affection
I ka maluhia o ke Koolau Shaded by the ko’olau mountains
I ka nohona ka lihikai Situated near the oceans edge
I laila kaua e pili Where we will always be together
Aloha no ku’u ‘aina hanau e Love for my birth place
No Kahalu’u ku’u aloha For Kahalu’u is my affection
No Kane’ohe ku’u aloha For Kane’ohe is my affection
No Kailua ku’u aloha For Kailua is my affection
Aloha no ‘o Koolau e Affection for the Ko’olau district
A Luna I Ka Pali
Hu’ewa
A LUNA I KA PALI
A luna I ka pali ‘o Nu’uanu
(Atop the Nu’uanu Pali)
ka ua noe I ka makani kolonahe
(The misty rain and soft breeze)
Kau mai ka hali’a no ‘oe
(Fond memories come upon me of u) ‘ike maka I ku’u one hanau e
(As I gaze out upon the land of my birth)
Eia me a’u ko aloha
(Here with me is your love) Ho’olali I ka pili ‘ao’ao
(A love that clings to the side) Popo’i mai ana I ku’u maka (Blanketing my eyes)
Papalu I ka lihilihi
(Covering my lashes)
He nui ke aloha no ka ua li’ili’i
(A great love for this little rain)
He nui ke aloha no ka ua ‘apuakea (Indeed a great love for the apuakea rain) Honi mau I ku’u papalina
(That constantly kisses my cheeks)
Pili mau I ku’u pu’uwai
(Held forever in my heart)
‘Ohu’ohu ‘O Lanihuli I ke ao ‘opua
(Lanihuli is festively adorned by the clouds) He ‘opua aloha I ka malie
(Billowing clouds of love in the calm) Hanohano I ke alo o ke kuahiwi
(So dignified in the face of the mountains) He kupu aloha, aloha e
A beloved sprout, loved indeed
This mele was written to honor a spirit that comes to visit in the form of a little caressing rain. A spirit so cherished and loved. The rain brings life to the land and its kiss gives us hope for our future life on these islands.
Alawa Mai
Mailani- My Island Christmas
Alawa Mai
Alawa mai ku’u maka i ka u’i o ia ‘aina
kau mai ka hāliʻa ‘O Poliahu ‘O Mauna Kea
Ākea ku’u ‘i’ini e aloha i ka hikina
E Hawai’i Ku’u kulaiwi
‘Aina punahele o ke ānuenue
E Hawai’i Ku’u one hānau
e pili mau i nā kupuna
E auana ku’u mana’o i ka makani ‘olu’olu
I ka lā welawela i ka moana uliuli
Ākea ku’u ‘i’ini e aloha i ka hikina
E Hawai’i Ku’u kulaiwi
‘Aina punahele o ke ānuenue
E Hawai’i Ku’u one hanau
e pili mau i nā kupuna
Translation
My eyes look here and there at the beauty of this land
Fond memories come to mind of Poliahu of Mauna kea
My desire swell within to greet the dawning
Hawai’i my homeland
favored island of rainbows
Hawai’i my birthplace
that binds me forever to my ancestors
My thoughts continue to wander, the cool gentle breeze
the heat of the sun, the refreshing deep ocean
My desire swell within to greet the dawning
Hawai’i my homeland
favored island of rainbows
Hawai’i my birthplace
that binds me forever to my ancestors
He Lei Makana
Sean Na’auao – Ka ‘Eha Ke Aloha
He Lei Makana
I laila i ka maka o ka lani nui a mamao (there in the center of the great and expanse heavens)
Wehe ke ao ‘opua ho’opuka ana ka la (the clouds open and the sun bursts through)
(Hui)
He mana ko loko ku kamaehu i ka pono (there is great power within, stand strong in what’s right)
Ka lama o ke aloha i ka maka o ka wahine (the light of love is seen in the face of the woman)
He la hou u’i no na pua liko (it’s a new day for the buds of Liko)
He wehi o ka ‘aina i ulu ehuehu (an adornment of land that grows abundantly)
Noho ana i ke one piha pono ka mana’o (I sit on the sand and my thoughts are full)
Ho’ike ‘ia ke ala pono me ke aloha (the path is shown with great love)
E o mai kou inoa ka pua loke hano ‘a’ala (answer to your name, fragrant rose blossom)
He lei makana keia kui’ia no ‘oe (this gift of lei was seen especially for you)
Nani Ke Aloha
Mailani Makainai- Nani Ke Aloha single
Nani Ke Aloha
Nani ke aloha ka hikina mai Beautiful is love when it comes
I hoa pili no ke kino A constant companion
Hoʻokō ʻia kuʻu makemake Fulfilling my deepest desire
Kuʻu pua hoʻoheno i ka pō laʻi My cherished flower in the peaceful night
Hu a’ela Ka makani The Wind approaches
He moana polinahe A sweet caressing breeze
E nāue mai i ʻaneʻi Come over here with me
A kau i ke ano ahiahi And stay til evening comes
I Laila kuʻu manaʻo My thoughts dwell there
i hoʻopumehana ai Where one feels your love
Kakala ka ‘ili Tingly to my skin
E aloha mau loa Loving you for always
Ahuwale na kualono The lofty mountains are clearly seen
E liʻa ana i kou nani I yearn for your beauty
Kou maka ʻōlinolino Your eyes that twinkle
like me na hōkū o ka lani ākea Like the stars in the wide heavens
Pau ʻole koʻu mahalo My admiration is endless (for your beauty)
ʻO ia iʻo ʻO iā nō True it is indeed
He nani ke ʻike aku It is splendid to know
Ka ‘i’ini a ka makemake ko aloha Your love is what is desired
Ni’ihau O Kahelelani
Sean Na’auao – Ka ‘Eha Kealoha
Ni’ihau o Kahelelani
Kau mai ana ka hali’a ia ‘oe
E Ni’ihau O Kahelelani
He ‘aina lua ‘ole ku i ka nani
Aloha wale aloha no
Pa mai ana ka makani Naulu
E kipa mai e hui pu i Nanina
Ke one kaulana i na pupu
Aloha wale aloha no
Ho’i mai ana ke aloha i loko
Ka nohea pau ‘ole pili i ka ‘ehukai
Ke kai hu’ihu’i lana malie
Aloha wale aloha no
Eia ku’u wahi mahalo ia ‘oe
E Ni’ihau O Kahelelani
He waiwai nui ‘oe ia’u
Aloha wale aloha no
Hamama I Ka ‘Iu
Mailani Makainai- Manawa
Hamama I Ka ‘Iu
Mau loa ku’u ‘i’ini e ‘ike hou iā ‘oe Great is my desire to see you again
Mai ka lā hiki a ka lā kau From the rising until the setting of the sun
Kū kilakila i ke alo pali o nā Koolau (You) stand majestically in the face of the Ko’olau mountains
‘O Hamama i ka ‘iu Hamama (waterfall) so sacred (way up there)
E kilohi au i kou nani, nani kamaha’o I search for your beauty, astounding beauty
Kū ho’okahi, poina ‘ole i ku’u maka That stands alone, unforgettable to my eyes
I ka mālie, konikoni i ka pu’uwai There in the peaceful calm, my heart flutters (for you)
‘O Hamama i ka ‘iu Hamama (waterfall) so sacred (way up there)
Onaona wale ka awapuhi melemele Simply fragrant is the yellow ginger
kāhiko i ke alahele, he loa ka pi’ina That adorns the pathway, indeed a long climb
I uka, āhea la e ho’i kāua e pili Upward, when will we be together
‘O Hamama i ka ‘iu Hamama (waterfall) so sacred (way up there)
Hea aku no au eō mai ‘oe I call out to you, please answer
‘O Hamama i ka ‘iu, ka wai hu’ihu’i anu i ka ‘ili Hamama (waterfall) so sacred (way up there), Your chilly water that makes my skin tingle
Lua ‘ole pa’a pono i ke aloha An affection that is like no other and held closely (to me)
‘O Hamama i ka ‘iu Hamama (waterfall) so sacred (way up here)
Nou E Kahiau
Sean Na’auao- Holomua
Nou e Kahiau
Eia mai au mahie a koa
Ikaika ke kino pa’a ka mana’o
E ‘ike wale no ‘oe ma waho iho
A’ole like no ho’i he mea kupaianaha
Ha’awi mai au me ka lokomaika’i
Mai ka pu’uwai me ke aloha
Nana i ku’u maka ‘ike i loko
akahele ‘oe he me makaki’i
Ha’ina ‘ia mai ana ka puana
E nana pono oe o poho wale no
Ku’u Lei Pikake Aloha
Mailani Makainai – Alo I Ke Alo EP
Ku’u lei Pikake aloha
Hanohano ke ‘ala Glorious is the fragrance
Kau mai i luna Placed high above
Onaona i ka ihu Pleasing to smell
Me ko nani lua ‘ole Incomparable in beauty
Pohai i ka laʻakea Encircled by the sacred light
I wehi i ka lani ākea An adornment of the wide heavens
Ke Ola o ka pua The life of the flower
I ulu me ka u’i That grows in beauty
Aloha no Love for you
E kuʻu lei pīkake aloha My beloved Pikake lei
Ke aloha makamae Love so precious
I kuʻu puʻuwai To my heart
Hiaʻai i ka nani Delighted by the beauty
O ia lei punahekle Of this favored lei
E kuʻu lei pīkake aloha My beloved Pikake lei
Aloha no Only love for you
E kilinahe mai Floating in the breeze
I ke ano ahiahi In the early evening hour
Hō mai I you ʻala Carrying your fragrance to me
I ho’olale i ka houpo Stirring my thoughts of you
E lei no Au I Ko aloha no Na Kau a kau
Nau No Ku’u Aloha
Sean Na’auao- Holomua
Nau no Ku’u Aloha
Nani no keia wahi
Kahi punahele a kaua
Aia i ke one maka
Lohe ana i ke kani o ke kai
Nau no Ku’u Aloha
Ku’u aloha makamae
No na kau a kau
Nau no ku’u aloha
Olinolino ka mahina
Ho’omalama i ke ala
‘Olu’olu ke ahe
Ha’ale ku’u pu’uwai
E alia mai
Ho’onanea i ka u’i
Ho’ohanohano i ka lani
He waiwai nut ke aloha
Mokapu I Ka Malie
Mailani Makainai- Manawa
Mokapu I Ka Malie
Ma’o aku ‘O Mokapu I Ka Malie There is Mokapu in the calm
Pa ahe Ka makani The soothing wind blowing
I Ka mehana o Ka la The warmth of the sun
Ho’olohe I ke Kani o ke Kai Listening to the sound of the ocean
I ke one ‘o Kalama On the sands of Kalama
Me ke aloha pau’ole Where love and affection is endless
E nanea wale iho nei Just simply enjoying (being there)
‘Ike I Ka welelau ‘o Ahiki Seeing the very tip of Ahiki (so clearly)
I Laila no ‘o Alala It is there at Alala
E pili mau kaua That we are together
Me ke Kai hawanawana The soft whispering sea
Hu’ihu’i koni I ka ‘ili Chilling to the skin
Ma’ane’i Mai ke aloha I Ka nani There is great affection here in this beauty
I Ka nani o ia ‘aina The beauty of this land
He waiwai nui ‘oe ia’u You are such a treasure to me
No Na kau a kau For all seasons
Auhea wale ‘oe Where are you
E ke aloha My cherished one
Ma’ane’i Mai au For I am here
Ke Kali nei Waiting patiently