`Ulili E
Israel Kamakawiwo'ole Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hone ana ko leo e 'ulili e
O kahi manu noho 'ae kai
Kia'i ma ka lae a'o kekaha
O ia kai ua lana malie

'Ulili e
'Ulili ho'i
'Ulili holoholo kahakai e
O ia kai ua lana malie

Hone ana ko leo kolea e
Pehea 'o Kahiki? Maika'i no
'O ia 'aina 'uluwehiwehi
I hui pu 'ia me ke onaona

'Ulili e
'Ulili ho'i




'Ulili holoholo kahakai e
O ia kai ua lana malie

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's song 'Ulili E are in Hawaiian language and they talk about the natural beauty of the island of Kauai, particularly about the shorebirds and their environment. 'Ulili' in Hawaiian is a small shorebird that is native to Hawaii, and the singer sings about its behavior and movement along the beaches. The "hone ana ko leo" is a call to each other by these birds, and the other lines translate to "this is the bird that sits by the sea, along the coast of Ke Kahe," and "the sea is calm."


The song also touches upon the conversation between two bird species, where one bird asks the other about the place called Kahiki. The other bird responds that it is a beautiful and lush place where the scent of flowers is rich and abundant. The song then ends by repeating the chorus which talks about the shorebirds strolling along the coastline, and the calm sea.


Overall, the song is a beautiful tribute to the natural beauty of the Hawaiian island, the coastal ecosystem of Kauai, and the unique wildlife that calls it home.


Line by Line Meaning

Hone ana ko leo e 'ulili e
My voice hums harmoniously with the song of the bird 'ulili sitting by the sea.


O kahi manu noho 'ae kai
A bird that lives and stays by the sea is the 'ulili.


Kia'i ma ka lae a'o kekaha
Protector of the cape of kekaha watches over the 'ulili bird.


O ia kai ua lana malie
That calm sea is placidly flowing.


'Ulili e
Hey, 'ulili bird,


'Ulili ho'i
Return, 'ulili bird,


'Ulili holoholo kahakai e
'Ulili bird, walk by the beach.


Hone ana ko leo kolea e
My voice harmonizes with the Pacific golden plover's call.


Pehea 'o Kahiki? Maika'i no
How is Kahiki? It must be great.


'O ia 'aina 'uluwehiwehi
That land of lush greenery.


I hui pu 'ia me ke onaona
Gathered together with a sweet fragrance.


'Ulili e
Hey, 'ulili bird,


'Ulili ho'i
Return, 'ulili bird,


'Ulili holoholo kahakai e
'Ulili bird, walk by the beach.


O ia kai ua lana malie
That calm sea is placidly flowing.




Contributed by Elizabeth F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@regisdixit

Sing along with IZ!

Hone ana ko leo e 'ulili ē
O kahi manu noho 'ae kai

Kia'i ma ka lae a'o kekaha
'O ia kai ua lana mālie

'Ulili ē
'Ulili ho'i

'Ulili holoholo kahakai ē
O ia kai ua lana mālie

'Ulili ē
'Ulili ho'i

'Ulili holoholo kahakai ē
O ia kai ua lana mālie

(bridge)

Hone ana ko leo kōlea ē
Pehea 'o Kahiki? Maika'i nō

'O ia 'āina 'uluwehiwehi
I hui pū 'ia me ke onaona

'Ulili ē
'Ulili ho'i

'Ulili holoholo kahakai ē
O ia kai ua lana mālie

'Ulili holoholo kahakai ē
O ia kai ua lana mālie

'Ulili ē
'Ulili ho'i

'Ulili ē
'Ulili ho'i



All comments from YouTube:

@girlsrule722

I too am on the other side of the world and truly love IZ. He sings like the Angel's and now he sings with the Angels. We are so blessed not just with his music. But with his messages to kids and to us. To love one another. I love you IZ Rest in Peace.

@lauraldarnaypronzatto1309

Gracias Israel me has alegrado al escucharte Dios te bendiga Todo Tú Ser Canta interpretas con todo tu Corazón, Tú Voz Ilumina Mí Corazón!"

@MarciaCristina-tc8qe

Sempre sensacional!

@ventaquemadaboyaca7953

Esa música llega al alma. lo amo. qué hermoso

@luvperu1

RIP IZ.. Thank you for your beautiful voice!!

@sylviarivera1804

ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!! OVER THE RAINBOW!!!!!! BRILLIANT!!!!!SWEET SOUNDS THANK YOU !!!!!LOVELY!!!!NICE LIFE!!!!!!!!

@DILO

Mesmo morto continua à arrebentar. Grande IZ!

@dominiqueblanc3783

La voix des anges Live !!
Thanks for my soul ! 💕🙋

@reinaldounico7296

Gracias gran maestro , por.su bella música

@oscarrapiditie9928

I'm from the other side of the world and love every single damn song you make, you are the creator of

More Comments