Maika'i Ka Makani O Kohala - Claudia Goddard and Andy Wang, Slack Key Guitar

Details

Description

Maikaʻi Ka Makani O Kohala, arrangement by Keola Beamer. Slack key guitar played by Claudia Goddard and Andy Wang in New York City at La Mama ETC, June 2011 show with hālau hula Pua Aliʻi ʻIlima, under the direction of Kumu Vicky Holt Takamine. Shell sculptures by Chandler Davis.

This song was written in the late 1800's by members of the Royal Hawaiian Band, William Sheldon and David Nape.

Keola Beamer's slack key arrangement evokes the famous Inuwai wind of the remote and windy Kohala district of Hawai'i.

Maikaʻi ka makani o Kohala
ʻIke ʻia e ka Inuwai
ʻO ka wai nō ia pono kāua
Wai kaulana o ka ʻāina

ko aloha, ko aloha kaʻu mea nui
He makana, he makana na ka puʻuwai

Haʻaheo ka hau i ka mauna
Kāhiko i ka ʻohu o ka nahele
ke kāohi mai nei Lilinoe
i ka ʻohu noe i ke kuahiwi

How fine is the wind of Kohala
Known as the Inuwai
the water that brings life to you and I
Famous water of the land

Your love, your love is what I cherish
A gift, a gift from the heart

How proud is the snow on the mountain
Adorning the fog of the forest
Lilinoe is holding back
the mists that settle on the slopes