Lyrics by Leilehua Yuen, music by Manu Josiah
O Maunakea ʻoe, Maunakea kuahiwi ku kamahaʻo i ka mālie
O Poliʻahu ʻoe, Poliʻahu ka wahine kapa hau anu o Maunakea
Silver gilds the snow upon her shoulders
As the moon slowly slips across the sky
Poliʻahu’s ʻahuʻula maʻemaʻe
Icy garment glowing softly in the night
At last the glowing moon bends down to kiss her
Sliding gently from her shoulder to the sea
Pāʻū of darkened wave edged in white foam
Flows about her feet, across her knees
She blushes when the sun comes up to greet her
Casts aside her dress of icy white
Adorns herself in all the shades of ocher
Her ʻahuʻula of the day is golden light
The sun bends down to kiss her now warm shoulders
Graced with lie hīnano of the sky
Now she bathes in forest-scented rain drops
And prepares to wear her garment of the night
Silver gilds the snow upon her shoulders
As the moon slowly slips across the sky
Poliʻahu’s ahuʻula keʻokeʻo
Icy garments glowing softly in the night
You can purchase downloads of this album at CD Baby.
Maunakea has been a presence for Manu and me our entire lives.