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”.
Kumulipo/E Pua Ana Ka Makani
Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
O ke au i kahuli lole ka lani
O ke au i kuka'iaka ka la
E ho'omalamalama i ka malama
O ke au o Makali'i ka po
O ka walewale ho'okumu honua ia
O ke kumu o ka lipo, i lipo ai
O ka lipolipo, o ka lipolipo
O ka lipo o ka la, o ka lipo o ka po
Po wale ho'i
Hanau ka po
Hanau Kumulipo i ka po, he kane
Hanau Po'ele i ka po, he wahine
E pua ana ka makani, la'ea
E na hala o Malelewa'a
Kui 'ia e lupua, la'ea
Halua 'ala i ka poli
Maika'i ka pua hinano, la'ea
Na pua i Waialoha
'Upu a'e ana ka mana'o, la'ea
E 'ike ia Halali'i
He ali'i na'u ke aloha, la'ea
A he lei no ku'u lani
Ha'ina mai ku puana, la'ea
No Ka'ahumanu he inoa
The lyrics of Kumulipo/E Pua Ana Ka Makani by Makaha Sons of Ni`ihau are in Hawaiian language and celebrate the creation story of the Hawaiian people. The song takes the listener on a journey through the different ages of creation, depicting the changes that occurred in the world during each phase. The lyrics describe different phases of the world's evolution, from the time when the earth was hot and molten, through the emergence of life on earth, and the eventual arrival of humans.
The song tells the story of creation from a Hawaiian perspective, focusing on the idea that everything in the world is interconnected and related. The lyrics speak of the importance of respecting the natural world, living in balance with the other creatures on the planet. Ultimately, the song is a celebration of life and the beauty of the Hawaiian Islands.
Line by Line Meaning
O ke au i kahuli wela ka honua
During the time when the earth began to heat up
O ke au i kahuli lole ka lani
During the time when the heavens began to change
O ke au i kuka'iaka ka la
During the time of the breaking of dawn
E ho'omalamalama i ka malama
Let us seek enlightenment and understanding
O ke au o Makali'i ka po
The time of Makali'i is the night
O ka walewale ho'okumu honua ia
From chaos came the birth of the land
O ke kumu o ka lipo, i lipo ai
The source of darkness, from which darkness emerged
O ke kumu o ka Po, i po ai
The source of the night, from which night emerged
O ka lipolipo, o ka lipolipo
Of the deepest darkness, the deepest darkness
O ka lipo o ka la, o ka lipo o ka po
The darkness of the day, the darkness of the night
Po wale ho'i
Only the night
Hanau ka po
Born was the night
Hanau Kumulipo i ka po, he kane
Born was the Kumulipo in the night, as male
Hanau Po'ele i ka po, he wahine
Born was the Po'ele in the night, as female
E pua ana ka makani, la'ea
The wind is blossoming, oh swift one
E na hala o Malelewa'a
The scent of Malelewa'a (a type of tree)
Kui 'ia e lupua, la'ea
Twisted and entwined together, oh swift one
Halua 'ala i ka poli
With a fragrance that permeates the heart
Maika'i ka pua hinano, la'ea
Excellent is the fragrance of the hinano flower, oh swift one
Na pua i Waialoha
The blossoms of Waialoha
'Upu a'e ana ka mana'o, la'ea
The thought rises, oh swift one
E 'ike ia Halali'i
To see Halali'i (a star)
He ali'i na'u ke aloha, la'ea
Love for an ali'i (chief) is within me, oh swift one
A he lei no ku'u lani
And a lei for my heaven
Ha'ina mai ku puana, la'ea
So my story is told, oh swift one
No Ka'ahumanu he inoa
It is for Ka'ahumanu (a queen) that this is named
Contributed by Charlotte B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Scott Karsk
on Take a Walk in the Country
I absolutely love this song. A Hawaiian classic! Makes my heart soar every time I hear it! :)