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”.
Nohili E
Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I ke aloha 'o ka mokihana
A he hana ma'a 'ole ia'u
I ke aloha e hana nei
Hui:
Nohili e
E ke one kani
I ka poli
Wehiwehi Polihale
I ka lau 'o ka pahapaha
I ka lele o ka 'ehukai
Pôhina lua i nâ pali
Nani wale ka 'ikena
I ka wai koni i ka 'ili
I ka wai kaulana
Neia uka uluwehiwehi
The Makaha Sons of Ni’ihau’s song Nohili E is a poetic tribute to the beauty and power of nature. The song begins with the singer expressing their fascination with the mokihana, a plant that is native to the Hawaiian Islands and is known for its fragrant berries. The singer is so enraptured by this plant that they cannot help but express their love for it, even though they feel that their love is “ma’a ‘ole” or useless. This love of nature is a recurring theme throughout the song, and the singer returns to it again and again.
The chorus of the song refers to Nohili, a beach on the island of Kauai. The beach is known for its powerful waves and its ability to create a sound that resembles the “uhene” or chant of a Hawaiian warrior. The singer is calling out to this beach, acknowledging the power of nature and the way it can connect people to their cultural heritage.
The second verse of the song describes the beauty of the Polihale beach, which is famous for its long stretch of golden sand and its stunning views of the ocean. The singer is in awe of the “lau ‘o ka pahapaha”, or the leaves of the hala trees that grow near the beach, and the way the waves crash against the shore.
Overall, this song celebrates the beauty and power of nature, and the way it connects people to their cultural heritage. It is a poignant reminder of the importance of respecting the environment and the traditions of the past.
Line by Line Meaning
Noenoe mai ana ia'u
I am thinking of
I ke aloha 'o ka mokihana
The love of the mokihana tree
A he hana ma'a 'ole ia'u
Is a task I cannot accomplish
I ke aloha e hana nei
That love which is being done
Nohili e
Nohili, oh!
E ke one kani
Singing sands
E 'uhene nei
Resounding
I ka poli
In the bosom
Wehiwehi Polihale
Adorned Polihale
I ka lau 'o ka pahapaha
Adorned with pahapaha leaves
I ka lele o ka 'ehukai
As the sea spray leaps
Pôhina lua i nâ pali
Twilight falls on the cliffs
Nani wale ka 'ikena
Splendid is the sight
I ka wai koni i ka 'ili
Of the water that touches the skin
I ka wai kaulana
Of the renowned water
Neia uka uluwehiwehi
This verdant upland
Contributed by Scarlett Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@kanau531
Lyrics
Noenoe mai ana iaʻu
I ke aloha ʻo ka mokihana
A he hana maʻa ʻole iaʻu
I ke aloha e hana nei
Hui:
Nohili e
E ke one kani
E ʻuhene nei
I ka poli
Wehiwehi Polihale
I ka lau ʻo ka pahapaha
I ka lele o ka ʻehukai
Pōhina lua i nā pali
Nani wale ka ʻikena
I ka wai koni i ka ʻili
I ka wai kaulana
Neia uka uluwehiwehi
A misty, foggy feeling comes to me
For the love of the mokihana
(This feeling) is unfamiliar to me
This love that is happening
Hui:
Nohili,
The barking Sands
A merry tune
For the heart
How festive is Polihale
With the lushness of pahapaha (seaweed)
Where the sea spray seems to leap
Like two mists that creep upon the cliffs
Always beautiful
Water that makes my skin tingle
This famous water
@user-wi4oz9eq7f
Aloha all the way, every day
@autumnskye5882
I can only imagine Heaven sounding this way!! Mahalo Makaha Sons!! 🌸🤙🌺❤️
@viviennevine5197
The harmony is just wonderful ... it can't be beaten, so-o-o relaxing.
@viviennevine5197
I'm STILL just listening to their magic ... and I have the CD as well. By far my favourite
@beaglesrfun5896
When I'm missing Hawaii, I play their music during my commute to and from work.
@poolpoolification
NEVER FORGET THESE GUYS, SO COOL , LIVING ON KAUAI IN 89, KCC COLLEGE, THEY WERE UN REAL TO SAY THE LEAST, GENEROUS AS HELL. MAHALO, GOOD GRIDS , SASHIMI, RICE., POI
@arsenamcintire939
It gives me chills to hear the beauty in these voices. I don't think I've ever heard more lovely singers in my life.
@300preston
Beautiful ❤
@Mindaro
Proving how beautiful men can be..😇😇😇
@aikowong9023
I love this song. I'm part Hawaiian. i miss Bruddah IZ