Reposted from my old blog for nā kamaliʻi, “Hula Girl Leinani.”
Today is the day we celebrate the life of Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana‘ole!
Although he was reared to someday be the King of Hawaiʻi, once Hawaiʻi became an American territory, he did everything he could to make life better for Hawaiians as American citizens. He was our first representative to Congress! Because of that, he is called “Ke Aliʻi Makaʻāinana,” “The Prince of the People.”
His other nickname was “Prince Cupid,” because when he was a baby he was very cute and looked like pictures of baby Cupid. Even after he was a grownup, people still called him “Prince Cupid!”
I which I could have met him. He was a very interesting and exciting person! He love to ride with the paniolo, the cowboys, and was an expert horseman. Enjoyed lots of different activities, including golf, and even learned to fly an airplane!
This hula is about Prince Kūhiō. It is about him and how he and his riding club were so beautiful as they galloped by on their horses. Kumu Leilehua translated it for us.
“He Inoa Nō Kalanianaʻole”
He inoa nou e Kalanianaʻole
O ka hui holo lio o ka ʻehu kaiʻAkāhi o ka nani ua ʻike ʻia
I ka holo kaʻinapu aʻo nā lioUa like me ka wai ānuenue
Ka pipiʻo i ke alo aʻo KaʻalaʻKa lihilihi ʻula o ka pāʻū
E puleleo haʻaheo la i ka makaniHea aku mākou ō mai ʻoe
ʻO Kalanianaʻole la he inoa***
In the name of Kalanianaʻole
And the riding club of the sea sprayNever before has such beauty been seen
As the graceful prancing of the horsesThey are like the rainbow
Arching over the face of Mount KaʻalaThe red fringe of the skirt
Waves proudly in the windWe call out to you
Kalanianaʻole is your name
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