Saturday, September 25, 2010

Dancing the Big Island of HAWAII

Aloha Welcome





"A positive attitude may not solve all your problems,

but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort."



Herm Albright





Kamehameha II

“Being happy is better than being king”

African Proverb









These guys are gonna take us on a tour
of KONA on the Big Island of 'Hawaii'





Kona Kai `Opua

Lyrics by Henry Waiau

This mele tells of a love affair between Liholiho (Kamehameha II) and a woman of rank.


It sings of the places and activities of Kona and compares them to the deep emotions of love.




Known as Kona of the tranquil seas, the opua or pink cumulus cloud formations that hang low, are regarded as omens of good fortune and good weather.




Hinano is the blossom of the male pandanus tree and was used as an aphrodisiac.




Na`u is a game of Kona where the children chant "na`u" and hold their breath until the sun disappears.



On Nov. 27, 1823, the King and his Queen boarded the English ship L'Aigle.




They were the first of the Hawaiian Royals to travel abroad.




A state visit with King George of England was intended to establish a political and commercial understanding; The better to enable Liholiho to govern an island kingdom that attracted the avaricious interest of many foreigners.





Before they had an audience with the English Monarch,
the Hawaiians were struck with measles.



Queen Kamamalu died July 8, 1824



followed by the death of King Liholiho on July 14.



Like their subjects,, the Hawaiian Royals lacked immunity to western diseases.



"A Song About Kamehameha II"



Proud is Kona of Hawaii

The waters and thick clouds
Hualalai, the majestic mountain is high above
Kona is the best



This warm land
With the refreshing wind
The bright moonlight that
Beckons the visitors





Chorus:
Proud
The cloud banks over Kona's peaceful sea
Like the hinano flower
In the peaceful sea
The cloudbanks of Kona
Are incomparable, second to none
The cloudbanks of Kona
The streaked sea
The peaceful sea of Kona




The cloud bank over Kona's peaceful sea
Like the hinano flower in the calm
Where dusk descends with evening dew
The na'u is chanted by the playful children





Hold back the rays of the sun
The sun rays reflecting on the surface of the sea
Very warm is the land
Very loving the Ho`olulu progeny




Nothing compares to the love
O my beloved companion of all time
For my lovely chief, my last refrain
Liholiho, I praise your name





:)