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”.

Kaho'olawe
Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ha'aheo wale ho'i 'oe
E Kaho'olawe 'ina kaulana
Ho'oheno ana oe
Me ka hinahina

Ha'aheo wale ho'i 'oe
E Kaho'olawe 'ina kaulana
Ho'oheno ana oe

Me ka hinahina

E aloha i ke k a ka wai
I ka'i mai ua anu kua
A luna au
O Kaho'olawe

Ahuwale n pua hinahina
Lua'ole n hano a ka makani
O ke Kiu Ke'e ia
A'o n pali

Ha'ina 'ia mai
Ana ka puana
Nohona a mana'o mai
'O au e ke hoa

Ha'ina 'ia mai
Ana ka puana
Nohona a mana'o mai
'O au e ke hoa

'O au e ke hoa
'O au e ke hoa

Overall Meaning

The song Kaho'olawe by Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau is a tribute to the island of Kaho'olawe, located off the coast of Maui in Hawaii. The song praises the island's beauty, represented by the hinahina, a small silver plant found only on Kaho'olawe. The singer takes pride in Kaho'olawe's fame and recognizes it as a symbol of Hawaiian pride.

The song also shows a sense of responsibility towards the island's natural resources, specifically the water flowing through it. The line "E aloha i ke k a ka wai" is a plea to love the water and keep it clean. The song juxtaposes the beauty of the land with the harshness of the environment, as represented by the strong winds of Kiu Ke'e, which make it difficult for even the hinahina to thrive.

Overall, Kaho'olawe is a love song to the island, a celebration of its unique beauty, and a reminder of the importance of preserving its natural resources.

Line by Line Meaning

Ha'aheo wale ho'i 'oe
You stand proud and tall

E Kaho'olawe 'ina kaulana
The famous Kaho'olawe is your home

Ho'oheno ana oe
You cherish it deeply

Me ka hinahina
And its grey color

E aloha i ke k a ka wai
Love the water of life

I ka'i mai ua anu kua
As it fetches the cold rain

A luna au
Above me

O Kaho'olawe
Is Kaho'olawe

Ahuwale n pua hinahina
The grey flowers are abundant

Lua'ole n hano a ka makani
Without resistance to the Wind's breath

O ke Kiu Ke'e ia
At the peak of Kiu Ke'e