A protégé of the Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar legends, including Bobby Moderow… Read Full Bio ↴A protégé of the Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar legends, including Bobby Moderow & the late master Uncle Sonny Chillingworth, Makana has dedicated his life to perpetuating as well as evolving the traditional Hawaiian art form of Slack Key or "Ki Ho’alu". From this tradition Makana has evolved his own dynamic, high-octane style, coined “Slack Rock”: slack key infused with elements of bluegrass, rock, blues and raga. Makana’s playing has garnered praise from such guitar luminaries as Kirk Hammett (Metallica) & Pepe Romero (Spanish Flamenco Master). A contributor to the Grammy-nominated “Hawaiian Slack Key Kings”, Makana is considered one of the “greatest living players” (Esquire Magazine) who’s “instrumental brilliance bears comparison with the work of such groundbreaking acoustic guitarists as John Fahey and Michael Hedges” (Maui News).

Hailing from the isle of O’ahu, Makana—whose name means “a gift given freely”—began singing when he was 7 years old, took up ‘ukulele at 9 and began learning the ancient art of slack key at 11. By 14, he was already performing professionally, and before long playing four nights a week. His reputation as the youngest master of slack key spread like molten volcanic lava throughout the islands. With each successive year, more and more music fans—both on and outside of the islands—are experiencing the Makana phenomenon. In addition to his own headlining tours, Makana has opened shows for the likes of Sting, Santana, Elvis Costello, Paul Rodgers, Chris Isaak, No Doubt, Jason Mraz, and Jack Johnson, and in 2008 he won 2nd runner-up in Guitar Player Magazine’s National "Guitar Superstar" Competition.

Hi'ilawe
Makana Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Kūmaka ka ʻikena iā Hiʻilawe
Ka papa lohi mai aʻo Maukele

Pakele mai au i ka nui manu
Hau walaʻau nei puni Waipiʻo

ʻAʻole nō wau e loaʻa mai
A he uhiwai au no ke kuahiwi

He hiwahiwa au na ka makua
A he lei ʻāʻī na ke kupuna

No Puna ke ʻala i hali ʻia mai
Noho i ka wailele aʻo Hiʻilawe

Haʻina ʻia mai ana ka puana
Kūmaka ka ʻikena iā Hiʻilawe

Overall Meaning

The first verse of Makana's song "Hi'ilawe" speaks of the beauty and power of the waterfall after which the song is named, which is located near Waipi'o Valley on the Big Island of Hawaii. The singer speaks of their admiration for Hi'ilawe, as they watch the water cascading down from the high cliffs of Maukele. The second verse speaks of the singer's personal experiences in the area, as they discuss the abundance of birds they encountered while walking around Waipi'o. Despite their reverence and love for the land, the singer acknowledges their inability to understand all of its intricacies and mysteries, symbolized by the fog that often covers the mountains.

The chorus repeats the title phrase, "Kūmaka ka ʻikena iā Hiʻilawe," which can be roughly translated as "Hi'ilawe is a sight to behold." Ultimately, the song is a tribute to the power and awe-inspiring beauty of nature, and the importance of protecting and preserving the environment for future generations.

Line by Line Meaning

Kūmaka ka ʻikena iā Hiʻilawe
Gaze clearly upon the majesty of Hiʻilawe

Ka papa lohi mai aʻo Maukele
With a steep slope from Maukele

Pakele mai au i ka nui manu
Escape from the multitude of birds

Hau walaʻau nei puni Waipiʻo
The hau trees rustle around Waipi'o

ʻAʻole nō wau e loaʻa mai
I shall not seek

A he uhiwai au no ke kuahiwi
For I am a mist of the mountains

He hiwahiwa au na ka makua
I am precious to my parents

A he lei ʻāʻī na ke kupuna
Like a cherished garland for my grandparents

No Puna ke ʻala i hali ʻia mai
The fragrance that wafts from Puna

Noho i ka wailele aʻo Hiʻilawe
Resides at the waterfall of Hiʻilawe

Haʻina ʻia mai ana ka puana
Let the story be told