The “Mākaha Sons of Ni‘ihau” were a Hawaiian musical group. They originated… Read Full Bio ↴The “Mākaha Sons of Ni‘ihau” were a Hawaiian musical group. They originated on the leeward (Kona or westerly) side of O‘ahu. After the deaths of the Kamakawiwoole brothers, the remaining members dropped the "of Niihau" and now are known as the Makaha Sons, consisting of Louis “Moon” Kauakahi on 6-string guitar, John Koko on upright acoustic bass and Jerome Koko on 12-string guitar.

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”.

Hanakeoki
Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Nani wale ka hi'ona o ka manu lâ
'O ka 'i'iwi maka onaona pôlena lâ
Noho i ka malu lâ'au lâ
Ulunahele pö i ka lehua lâ

Hui:
Ilihia wau i ke 'ala lâ
O ka hanu o Hanakeoki lâ

Punihei ka mana'o ho'ohihi lâ
Hanu 'a'ala o Hanakeoki

Alia 'oe e ka 'amakihi lâ
Manu puapua lenalena lâ
E âlai nei i ka wai lâ
Wai hâlukuluku i ka pali lâ

E inu aku wau i kena lâ
I ka wai lehua a ka manu lâ
Hô iho kâua 'elo'elo lâ
A ho'i a e ho'ola'ila'i lâ

The features of the bird are so beautiful
The sweet-eyed 'i'wi pölena
Dwelling in the shade of the forest
Forest overshadowed with lehua flowers

Chorus:
I am overwhelmed with the fragrance
The scent of Hanakeoki
My thoughts are engulfed
By the sweet scent of Hanakeoki

Wait 'amakihi
Yellow-tailed bird
Obstructing the water
Water rushing noisily upon the cliff

I want to drink the water to quench my thirst
On the bird's lehua nectar

Let's you and I indulge and be drenched
Then return to find contentment

Overall Meaning

The song "Hanakeoki" by Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau describes the beauty of the 'i'wi bird with its enchanting yellow plumage, residing in the shade of the forest and the lehua flowers. The singer expresses their emotions about being overwhelmed by the scents of Hanakeoki, which seem to have absorbed their thoughts entirely. The beauty of the song lies in its simplicity, as the singer seems to be in awe of such an exquisite creature and is taking pleasure in the scent and beauty of its environment. This is reflected in the repeated lines of the chorus, which convey an almost hypnotic effect of the bird's scent and beauty.

The song also talks of the wait 'amakihi, a bird with yellow-tailed feathers, and the water engulfing the cliff. The singer expresses a desire to drink the water that flows upon the cliff to quench their thirst, and to indulge in drinking the lehua nectar of the 'i'wi bird. The song's lyrics create a sense of calmness and peacefulness, with the singer taking in the nature around them, embracing the beauty of the birds and the forest's lush environment.

Line by Line Meaning

Nani wale ka hi'ona o ka manu lâ
The features of the bird are so beautiful

'O ka 'i'iwi maka onaona pôlena lâ
The sweet-eyed 'i'wi pölena

Noho i ka malu lâ'au lâ
Dwelling in the shade of the forest

Ulunahele pö i ka lehua lâ
Forest overshadowed with lehua flowers

Ilihia wau i ke 'ala lâ
I am overwhelmed with the fragrance

O ka hanu o Hanakeoki lâ
The scent of Hanakeoki

Punihei ka mana'o ho'ohihi lâ
My thoughts are engulfed

Hanu 'a'ala o Hanakeoki
By the sweet scent of Hanakeoki

Alia 'oe e ka 'amakihi lâ
Wait 'amakihi

Manu puapua lenalena lâ
Yellow-tailed bird

E âlai nei i ka wai lâ
Obstructing the water