Hawaii Aloha

Almost the official state song of Hawaiʻi

"Hawaiʻi Aloha," also called "Kuʻu One Hanau," is a revered anthem of the native Hawaiian people and Hawaiʻi residents alike. Written by the Reverend Lorenzo Lyons, (1807-1886), also known as Makua Laiana, a Christian minister who died in 1886, to an old hymn, "I Left It All With Jesus," composed by James McGranahan (1840-1907), "Hawai‘i Aloha" was considered by the Hawaiʻi State Legislature in 1967 and by the Hawaiʻi State Constitutional Convention in 1978 to become the official state song, but "Hawaiʻi Pono‘ī," written by King David Kalākaua and composed by Royal Hawaiian Band Master Henri Berger, was chosen instead.

"Hawaiʻi Aloha" is typically sung in both small and large, formal and informal gatherings, both in Hawaiʻi and abroad, while participants stand in a circle with joined hands. It is a feature of the inauguration of the Governor of Hawaiʻi (called Ke Kiaʻaina), and the opening sessions of the Hawai‘i State House of Representatives and Hawaiʻi State Senate. Traditionally, the last chorus is sung with hands raised above heads; the act of raising hands is especially important to advocates of the Hawaiian sovereignty movement.

E Hawaiʻi e kuʻu one hānau e
Kuʻu home kulaīwi nei
ʻOli nō au i nā pono lani ou
E Hawaiʻi, aloha ē

O Hawaiʻi, O sands of my birth
My native home
I rejoice in the blessings of heaven
O Hawaiʻi, aloha.

   Hui:
E hauʻoli e nā ʻōpio o Hawaiʻi nei
ʻOli ē! ʻOli ē!
Mai nā aheahe makani e pā mai nei
Mau ke aloha, no Hawaiʻi

   Chorus:
Happy youth of Hawaiʻi
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Gentle breezes blow
Love always for Hawaiʻi.

E haʻi mai kou mau kini lani e
Kou mau kupa aloha, e Hawaiʻi
Nā mea ʻōlino kamahaʻo no luna mai
E Hawaiʻi aloha ē
   (hui)

May your divine throngs speak
Your loving people, O Hawaiʻi
The holy light from above
O Hawaiʻi, aloha.
   (chorus)

Nā ke Akua e mālama mai iā ʻoe
Kou mau kualono aloha nei
Kou mau kahawai ʻōlinolino mau
Kou mau māla pua nani ē
   (hui)

God protects you
Your beloved ridges
Your ever glistening streams
Your beautiful flower gardens.
   (chorus)

Listen to an excerpt: (The Rose Ensemble) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jS3DcFwPsac

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Patrons
199519961998
19992000
  • Maddy Lam
  • Hawaiian Chanters: Keaulumoku, Ka`opulupulu, Kapoukahi, Kapihe and Hewahewa
20012002
  • Songs honored: Alika, Kalama'ula, Wehiwehi 'Oe
200320042005
20062007
2008
  • Joseph Ae'a
  • Elizabeth "Lizzie" Kahau Kauanui Alohikea
  • Anuhea Audrey Brown
  • Thomas Kihei Desha Brown
  • Alice Angeline Johnson
  • John Keola Lake
  • Albert Po'ai Nahale-a Sr.
  • Leo Nahenahe Singers
  • Palani Vaughan
  • James Kaʻupena Wong
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
20142015
  • Lokalia Montgomery
  • Lei Collins
  • Halekulani Girls (Alice Fredlund, Sybil Bright Andrews, Linda Dela Cruz)
  • Jerry Byrd
  • Darrell Lupenui
  • Thaddius Wilson
  • O'Brian Eselu
2016
2017
  • Richard “Babe” Bell
  • The Isaacs ‘Ohana
  • The Kanaka’ole ‘Ohana
  • Krash Kealoha
  • Jacqueline "Skylark" Rossetti
  • Kimo Kahoano
  • Karen Keawehawai’i
  • Melveen Leed
  • Israel Kamakawiwoʻole
2018
  • Beamer ‘Ohana (Nona, Keola, Kapono)
  • Bray ‘Ohana (Daddy and Lydia Bray)
  • Ho‘opi‘i Brothers (Richard and Solomon)
  • Kahananui ‘Ohana (Dorothy Kahananui and Dorothy Gillett)
  • Saichi Kawahara
  • Literary award: He Mele Aloha: A Hawaiian Songbook (Vicky Hollinger, Kimo Hussey, Puakea Nogelmeier, Carol Wilcox), The Queen’s Songbook (Dorothy Kahananui Gillett, Barbara Smith and Hui Hanai)
2019
  • Pua Haʻaheo
  • Marta Hohu
  • Leila Hohu Kiaha
  • David “Feet” Rogers
  • Harry B. Soria Jr.
  • Kauʻi Zuttermeister
  • Hawaiian Room musicians from the Lexington Hotel, NYC
2020
  • Paused due to the global pandemic
20212022
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  • MusicBrainz work


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