A NānaʻiKaulahea
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Chant for Lānaʻi: A NānaʻiKaulahea
A NānaʻiKaulahea is part of a much longer chant in the epic story of Hiʻiakaikapoliopele, the younger and favorite sister of the volcano goddess Pele. Nānaʻiis another name for Lānaʻi in certain dialects of ‘Ōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language). Hawaiian islands are often associated with the names of rulers from the past – in this case, King Kaulahea. Maunalei is an area on Lānaʻi where clouds encircle like a lei. The chant also speaks of how the island resembles the small sea turtle, like those that hatch on Polihua Beach, that Pele enjoyed as a delicacy.
This passage thus describes two hallmarks of Hawaiian hospitality – a lei greeting and an offering of food.
This passage thus describes two hallmarks of Hawaiian hospitality – a lei greeting and an offering of food.
From the Fornander Collection of Hawaiian Antiquities and Folklore
A NānaʻiKaulahea
A Maunalei, kui ka lei
Lei Pele i ka ʻieʻie la
Wai hinu poʻo o Hiʻiaka
Holapu ʻili o Haumea
Ua ‘ono Pele i kāna iʻa
O ka honu iki o Polihua
Honu iki ai nounou
Kua pāpaʻi o ka moana
Ka ʻeā nui kua wawaka
Hoolike i ka ai na Pele
Ina oaka oaka oaka i ka lani la
Elieli kau mai
At Lānaʻi of Kaulahea
At Maunalei, twine the wreath
Pele is wreathed with the ʻieʻie vine
Hiʻiaka shines [her] head,
Haumea anoints [her] body
Pele enjoys her fish
The small turtle of Polihua Beach
Small turtle, short necked
Crab-like back, of the sea
The large pattern-backed tortoise
Resembling the food for Pele
If glistening and reflecting in the sun
Let reverence and deep insight come upon me
A Maunalei, kui ka lei
Lei Pele i ka ʻieʻie la
Wai hinu poʻo o Hiʻiaka
Holapu ʻili o Haumea
Ua ‘ono Pele i kāna iʻa
O ka honu iki o Polihua
Honu iki ai nounou
Kua pāpaʻi o ka moana
Ka ʻeā nui kua wawaka
Hoolike i ka ai na Pele
Ina oaka oaka oaka i ka lani la
Elieli kau mai
At Lānaʻi of Kaulahea
At Maunalei, twine the wreath
Pele is wreathed with the ʻieʻie vine
Hiʻiaka shines [her] head,
Haumea anoints [her] body
Pele enjoys her fish
The small turtle of Polihua Beach
Small turtle, short necked
Crab-like back, of the sea
The large pattern-backed tortoise
Resembling the food for Pele
If glistening and reflecting in the sun
Let reverence and deep insight come upon me