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”.
Pua Tubarose
Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No sweet tubarose poina 'ole
Me he ala e 'i mai ana ia'u
He welina pau 'ole me ia pua
Aloha ku'u pua ala onaona
I wili 'ia me maile lauli'i
Ke hea nei ku'u lei 'ala onaona
E ho'i mai kaua la e pili
Ha'ina 'ia mai ana ka puana
Ku'u pua tubarose poina 'ole
A fond memory comes to me
Of the sweet tuberose, so unforgettable
Like fragrance, it speaks to me
Forever greeting this flower with affection
Love for this sweet fragrant flower
Entwined with small leaf maile
Where is this lei of mine, so fragrant?
Return and let us be together
The story is told
Of my unforgettable tuberose
The lyrics of Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau's song Pua Tubarose is a beautiful ode to the sweet tuberose flower. The opening lines of the song "E kau mai ana ka hali'a, No sweet tubarose poina 'ole", express the fond memory of the flower that is forever unforgettable. The song compares the fragrant of the tuberose with that of the maile, an aromatic Hawaiian plant. Both are entwined and used to make beautiful floral leis, which the singer longs for to be reunited with in the latter part of the song.
The lyrics exude a great sense of love and affection, which are epitomized in the words, "Aloha ku'u pua ala onaona, I wili 'ia me maile lauli'i" which mean "Love for this sweet fragrant flower, Entwined with small leaf maile". The repetition of the lines "Ha'ina 'ia mai ana ka puana, Ku'u pua tubarose poina 'ole" at the end of the song signifies the importance of sharing the story of the unforgettable tuberose flower with the world.
Overall, the message conveyed in the song is that the sweetness, fragrance, and memories associated with the tuberose should be cherished forever.
Line by Line Meaning
E kau mai ana ka hali'a
A fond memory comes to me
No sweet tubarose poina 'ole
Of the sweet tuberose, so unforgettable
Me he ala e 'i mai ana ia'u
Like fragrance, it speaks to me
He welina pau 'ole me ia pua
Forever greeting this flower with affection
Aloha ku'u pua ala onaona
Love for this sweet fragrant flower
I wili 'ia me maile lauli'i
Entwined with small leaf maile
Ke hea nei ku'u lei 'ala onaona
Where is this lei of mine, so fragrant?
E ho'i mai kaua la e pili
Return and let us be together
Ha'ina 'ia mai ana ka puana
The story is told
Ku'u pua tubarose poina 'ole
Of my unforgettable tuberose
Contributed by Blake 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! :)