He mele no Kamoho, ka mano heleku
(Honoring Kamoho, the shark that walks upright)
For generations, native Hawaiians have celebrated the spirit of Pele, a fiery goddess who brought volcanoes to the Hawaiian Islands. She sailed to her island home in a magical canoe piloted by her brother Kamohoali'i, the shark god.
Kamohoali'i navigates the magical canoe from Kuaihelani, the floating island of the gods, through the Hawaiian archipelago, assisted by his voyaging companions Keaukai and Keaumiki (the tide and current). Located on the island of Hawai'i, the Kilauea crater becomes the new residence of the fire goddess Pele. On a precipice overlooking the crater is the resting place of the revered voyager Komohoali'i. It remains a place so sacred that even the volcano's rising smoke will not cross its cliff face.
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Kuwiliwili i ka moku 'o Kuaihelani
Pa'uhia i ke 'ena a ke aloha
Ke ko'a ka noho o ka mano heleku
Hele halolani i ka polikua la
Ku lanalana na manu o Honua-ia-kea
Ka wa'a ho'oki'eki'e i ka li'ula
Hi'ia e na hoa hoe i ka huaka'i
E Keaukai, e Keaumiki la
Ka lalani kalalea, 'i 'ike aku ai
No ke kuala makili ma ka 'ilikai
I ke ala wewelo no Kamohoali'i
Holo moana i na moku kua uli la
E uli aku i Nihoa
He moku naue i ke kai
E uli aku i Ka'ula
He moku kele i ka wa'a
E huli hou ka ihu o ka wa'i i Ni'ihau
Uli hou 'o Kamahoali'i
E uli aku i Kaua'i
E uli hou i O'ahu
No'eau ka 'ihoe uli 'o Kamohoali'i
E uli aku i Maui
E uli hou i Hawai'i
Noho hou 'oia i ka pali uli la
He mele no Kamoho, ka mano heleku.
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Restless is the island Kuaihelani
Overwhelmed by raging desires
The turbulent abode of the shark that walks upright
Soaring silently in the horizon beyond
The wings of Honua-ia-kea totter about
A vessel flaunting amongst a mirage
Paddled along by the voyaging companions
Keaukai (the tide), and Keaumiki (the current)
The prominent line seen
From the dorsal that split the surface of the sea
Is the fluttering path of Kamohoali'i
Sailing on to verdant islands
Steer now to Nihoa
An island shaken by the sea
Steer onto Ka'ula
An island reached by canoe
Turn now the bow of the canoe towards Ni'ihau
Kamohoali'i steers again
Steer onto Kaua'i
Once more to O'ahu
Skillful is the helmsman Kamohoali'i
Steer now to Maui
Once more to Hawai'i
To a new home in lush spires
Honoring Kamoho, the shark that walks upright.
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Mana'o: composed by Mark Keali'i Ho'omalu, August 2003
©Copyright 2003 Academy of Hawaiian Arts
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