'Lei Ho`Oheno' Weldon Kekauoha Cover - Ernie Halter

While in Oahu last week I asked my local friends what Hawaiian song I could learn and they played me this one. Lei Ho`Oheno by Weldon Kekauoha, and I loved it right away. At first what seems like a simple lyric, actually has many layers, as Hawaiian words all have several meanings and layers. The deeper meaning to the lyric is about a parent's love for their child. For example the word "lei" (as in a flower lei) also means the arms of a child wrapped around your neck. Here are the lyrics and the first layer of meaning.

E ku’u pili aloha - My dear friend
Ku’u lei kau po’ohiwi - My lei that adorns my shoulders
Onaona i ka ihu - Sweet to smell
Nohea i ka maka - Beautiful to look at
Liliko i ka ua kilihune - Glistening in the wind-blown spray
Kilipohe i ke kanilehua - Moistened by the kanilehua rain
Wewelo ke aloha i ka ‘onohi - Love streams before my eyes
‘Ume’ume mai ho’i kau - Oh, how alluring you are
E kahi lei ho’oheno - My cherished friend

Hawai'i is so rich in history, religion, traditions, art, and wonderfully proud people and I feel lucky to have experienced a part of it that many never see.

Alohaaaaa,
E!

[bluecafe]

Too beautiful for words, man. Very nice.

[nvaldespino]

I love seeing different cultures dancing from where they come from. But maybe you could dialogue in english.

[brownsuga]

Did you have a show??! 😰 I would've gone!!!