"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)
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