In 1976, the Mākaha Sons of Ni‘ihau began their professional career with five members, as an opening act in a small nightclub known as “Uptown Yokos.” The group has reorganized several times, with members seeking other professional careers, and the deaths of the Kamakawiwoole brothers.
The Mākaha Sons of Niihau and the Makaha Sons have released 21 CDs, and produced a DVD on their own record label. They have won Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards and Hawaii Music Awards. They produce their own signature concert, “Take a Walk in the Country,” in Hawai‘i each year. They produce and promote young artists in traditional Hawaiian music. They formed the “Mākaha Sons Foundation”.
Aloha 'Ia 'O Wai'anae
Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He malu i ka ulu niu
Ulu niu kaulana 'o Pöka'ï
He nani ke 'ike aku
Kü kilakila Ka'ala
Kuahiwi kau i ka hano
Uluwehi i ka maile lau li'ili'i
Pä 'ana ka makani he Kaiäulu
He aheahe mälie
Puïa i ke 'ala o ka 'awapuhi
He pua 'ala onaona
Ha'ina mai ka puana
O Wai'anae ku'u home
Home i aloha 'ia e mäkou
Home poina 'ole
Love for Wai'anae
The peaceful shady
Famous coconut grove of Pôka'î Bay
I see the beauty
Majestic Ka'ala
The glorious mountain
Where the small leaf maile grows in profusion
With its penetrating fragrance
The wind named Kaiäulu
Blows gently
Brings the fragrance of ginger
The sweet smelling flower
Tell the refrain
Of my home at Wai'anae
The home that we love
The unforgettable home
The Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau's song Aloha 'Ia 'O Wai'anae is a beautiful ode to Wai'anae, a small community on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. The song's opening line - "Aloha 'ia 'o Wai'anae" - means "love for Wai'anae" and sets the tone for the rest of the song. The first verse describes the coconut grove at Pôka'î Bay, which is famous for its tall and abundant coconut trees. The beauty of the grove is something to be marvelled at. The second verse talks about the majestic Ka'ala mountain, which looms over the town of Wai'anae. It is covered in foliage, including the small leaf maile, which produces a potent fragrance that permeates throughout the area.
The bridge of the song describes the wind named Kaiäulu, which blows gently and carries the sweet scent of ginger flowers. The refrain begs the listener to remember Wai'anae as their home, a place filled with aloha, or love. It is a beautiful, heartfelt tribute to the place that the Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau call home.
Line by Line Meaning
Aloha 'ia 'o Wai'anae
Love for Wai'anae
He malu i ka ulu niu
The peaceful shady
Ulu niu kaulana 'o Pöka'ï
Famous coconut grove of Pôka'î Bay
He nani ke 'ike aku
I see the beauty
Kü kilakila Ka'ala
Majestic Ka'ala
Kuahiwi kau i ka hano
The glorious mountain
Uluwehi i ka maile lau li'ili'i
Where the small leaf maile grows in profusion
He 'ala hu'ihu'i e
With its penetrating fragrance
Pä 'ana ka makani he Kaiäulu
The wind named Kaiäulu blows gently
He aheahe mälie
Brings the fragrance of ginger
Puïa i ke 'ala o ka 'awapuhi
The sweet smelling flower
He pua 'ala onaona
Ha'ina mai ka puana
Tell the refrain
O Wai'anae ku'u home
Of my home at Wai'anae
Home i aloha 'ia e mäkou
The home that we love
Home poina 'ole
The unforgettable home
Contributed by Levi O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@keolaani3847
love it my dad's favorite group!! mahalo nui
@KapenaKSausi
Aloha ʻia ʻo Waiʻanae
He malu i ka ulu niu
Ulu niu kaulana ʻo Pōkaʻī
He nani ke ʻike aku
Kū kilakila Kaʻala
Kuahiwi kau i ka hano
Uluwehi i ka maile lau liʻiliʻi
He ʻala huʻihuʻi ē
Pā ana ka makani he Kaiāulu
He aheahe mālie
Puīa i ke ʻala o ka ʻawapuhi
He pua ʻala onaona
Haʻina mai ka puana
ʻO Waiʻanae kuʻu home
Home i aloha ʻia e mākou
Home poina ʻole