Kealiʻi (pronounced Kay-ah-LEE-ee) Reichel was born and raised on the island of Maui. Reichel grew up in the town of Lahaina where he attended Lahainaluna High School, however he spent weekends and summers with his maternal grandmother in the plantation town of Pāʻia. At the age of 24, Reichel was convicted of theft, and was sentenced to community service, which involved a study of Hawaiian culture. This marked a turning point in his life, as he decided to devote the rest of his life to the study and promotion of Hawaiian culture.
Reichel was one of the founding directors for Punana Leo O Maui, a Hawaiian language immersion pre-school. He has taught Hawaiian culture and language at the University of Hawaiʻi's, Maui Community College, and he was the Cultural Resource Specialist and curator at the Bailey House Museum in Wailuku.
Kananaka
Keali'i Reichel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Halihali mai ana lā i ke 'ala
Ke 'ala onaona o ka līpoa
Hana ′oe a kani pono
Hana ′oe a kani pono
'O ka pā mai a ka Ma′a'a
Halihali mai ana lā i ke ′ala
Hana ′oe a kani pono
Hana 'oe a kani pono
Nani wale ia pu'e one
I ka nalu he′e mai a′o Kananaka
Kahi a mākou a e he'e ai
I ka ′ehu'ehu o ke kai
I ka ′ehu'ehu o ke kai
′O ka mahina hiki aloalo
Ho'ola'ila′i ana lā i nā pali
Pōhina wehiwehi i ke onaona
Koni ma′e'ele i ke kino
Koni ma′e'ele i ke kino
′O ka mahina hiki aloalo
Ho'ola′ila'i ana lā i nā pali
Pōhina wehiwehi i ke onaona
Koni ma'e′ele i ke kino
Koni ma′e'ele i ke kino
Nani wale ia pu′e one
I ka nalu he'e mai a′o Kananaka
Kahi a mākou a e he'e ai
I ka ′ehu'ehu o ke kai
I ka 'ehu′ehu o ke kai
Nani wale ia pu′e one
I ka nalu he'e mai a′o Kananaka
Kahi a mākou a e he'e ai
I ka ′ehu'ehu o ke kai
I ka ′ehu'ehu o ke kai
The lyrics of Keali'i Reichel's song "Kananaka" capture the beauty and essence of the Hawaiian culture through the use of vivid descriptions and metaphors. The verses describe the power of the ocean and its waves, the fragrance of the līpoa plant, and the beauty of the moon shining on the cliffs. The chorus repeats the phrase "Nani wale ia pu'e one I ka nalu he'e mai a'o Kananaka," which translates to "Beautiful is the sandy beach where the waves come to dance at Kananaka." The lyrics provide an insight into the admiration and connection that Hawaiians feel towards nature and their land.
The opening lines of "′O ka pā mai a ka Ma'a′a" refer to the scent of the Ma'a'a plant, which signifies the arrival of the trade winds. The scent of the plant is considered an omen for the arrival of good fortune, and the gentle winds pull the fragrance to the shore. The scent of the līpoa plant is also mentioned in the verses, and it is recognized as a distinct aroma that creates a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere.
The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, describing the mesmerizing beauty of Kananaka's beach as the waves dance upon it. The lyrics of "Kananaka" provide a deep connection to the Hawaiian land and its people's culture.
Line by Line Meaning
'O ka pā mai a ka Ma'a'a
The breeze from the mountains is blowing
Halihali mai ana lā i ke 'ala
Carrying with it the fragrance
Ke 'ala onaona o ka līpoa
The sweet scent of the seaweed
Hana ′oe a kani pono
Sing gently
Hana ′oe a kani pono
Sing gently
Nani wale ia pu'e one
The beauty of this sand dune
I ka nalu he′e mai a′o Kananaka
As the waves come rolling in from Kananaka
Kahi a mākou a e he'e ai
This is where we will go surfing
I ka ′ehu'ehu o ke kai
In the frothy sea spray
I ka ′ehu'ehu o ke kai
In the frothy sea spray
′O ka mahina hiki aloalo
The rising of the full moon
Ho'ola'ila′i ana lā i nā pali
Lighting up the mountainside
Pōhina wehiwehi i ke onaona
The fragrant night is enchanting
Koni ma′e'ele i ke kino
Shivering throughout the body
Koni ma′e'ele i ke kino
Shivering throughout the body
Nani wale ia pu′e one
The beauty of this sand dune
I ka nalu he'e mai a′o Kananaka
As the waves come rolling in from Kananaka
Kahi a mākou a e he'e ai
This is where we will go surfing
I ka ′ehu'ehu o ke kai
In the frothy sea spray
I ka ′ehu'ehu o ke kai
In the frothy sea spray
Writer(s): Traditional, Nogelmeier Marvin
Contributed by Connor Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ncocker817
The Ma`a`a wind blows
Bringing the scent
The fragrance of lîpoa
Pick (lipoa) until we have enough
Chorus:
Beautiful are the sand dunes
Kananaka surfs inland
Where we also surf
In the spray of the sea
The moon rises
Poised above the cliffs
Moonbeams so alluring
Thrilling the body
The moon shines brightly
Bringing peace to the darkness
Thrilling one to the core of one's being
Thrilling the body
Beautiful, the lightning of Kîlauea
Lying calmly in the sea
Bearing the rain of Ho`ola`ila`i
Rippling the surface of the sea
@johnsalmon6763
`O ka pa mai a ka Ma`a`a
Halihali mai ana la i ke `ala
He `ala onaona o ka lipoa
Hana `oe a kani pono
Hana `oe a kani pono
Hui:
Nani wale ia pu`e one la
I ka nalu he`e mai a`o Kananaka
Kahi a makou a i he`e ai
I ka `ehu`ehu o ke kai
I ka `ehu`ehu o ke kai
`O ka mahina hiki aloalo
Ho`ola`ila`i ana la i na pali
Pohina wehiwehi i ke onaona
Koni ma`e`ele i ke kino
Koni ma`e`ele i ke kino
@ggrace1133
Hawaiian music is the best in the world. They do harmony better than anyone. A million mahalos for the joy.
@detoxshoppe
Thank you for taking us to first place
@lasleepygsouldiez0427
I still sit and listen to this song, thinking of you... my 💓 ...
@Labaron26
I'm addicted to Hawaiian Music.
@beadmonger1
So beautiful! I can see the mermaids swimming and feel the sea breeze across the sands of Lahaina!
@BroWCarey
It's amazing how music can transcend language barriers. I don't speak more than maybe three words of this language, but I can listen to this song over and over, and "feel" what it is saying. Incredibly beautiful. Mahalo nui!
@MUSIC-MARY
What a BEAUTIFUL song!!!
❤❤❤
@kfwahine
One of my favorites ! I copied down the words from listening to the song long before I was able to get the CD. This is one talented dancer, singer, musician, composer. He has it all because Hawai'ian culture was kept in his household. I love just writing down the Hawai'ian words which are such a beautiful language. This person shares his ALOHA with the world and is blessed. Kaleolani F.
@MayorCupcake
After listening to the Lilo and Stitch soundtrack over and over I search for "traditional Hawaiian music" on a whim, just wanting to see what it sounded like without Disney in the mix. Even though I can't understand what's being said (unless there's a translation, which in this case there is) the music is absolutely beautiful. So thank you for sharing this song with those of us who would otherwise not know it existed.
@lojfiojo4725
WhiteRosePrincess same I started with lilo and stitch and after I started listening to iz’s songs and now i’m here