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.

Ku'ulei 'Awapuhi
Makana Lyrics

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Auhea la 'oe ke aloha
Awapuhi pala o ka ua noe
A eia no me a'u
I ka poli o ke aloha

E ku'u aloha e (e'ö)
'Auhea la 'oe (eia mai au)
A huli aku au iä 'oe

E ku'u aloha e (e'ö)
'Auhea la 'oe (eia mai au)
A huli aku au iä 'oe

Auhea la 'oe ke aloha
Awapuhi pala o ka ua noe
A eia no me a'u
I ka poli o ke aloha

E ku'u aloha e (e'ö)
'Auhea la 'oe (eia mai au)
A huli aku au iä 'oe
E ku'u aloha e (e'ö)
'Auhea la 'oe (eia mai au)
A huli aku au iä 'oe

A huli aku au iä 'oe
A huli aku au iä 'oe

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Makana's song "Ku'ulei 'Awapuhi" evoke a sense of yearning and longing for love. The first verse addresses the beloved with the phrase "auhea la 'oe ke aloha," which translates to "where are you, my love?" The reference to the 'awapuhi flower, which is known for its fragrant, delicate beauty, reinforces the theme of seeking something beautiful and rare. The second verse repeats the first, emphasizing the desire to find and be close to the object of one's affection.

The chorus, which begins with the phrase "e ku'u aloha e," or "oh my love," further amplifies the longing in the song. The repetition of the phrase "auhea la 'oe" underscores the sense of searching, while the lines "a huli aku au iä 'oe" express the desire to turn towards the loved one and find them. The final repetition of the chorus is sung with increasing intensity, as if the singer's emotions are building to a crescendo.

Overall, "Ku'ulei 'Awapuhi" is a song that speaks to the universal experience of seeking and yearning for love, expressed through the metaphor of a delicate, beautiful flower that must be carefully tended and nurtured. The song's spare instrumentation and haunting melody reinforce the sense of longing and searching.

Line by Line Meaning

Auhea la 'oe ke aloha
Oh where are you, my love?

Awapuhi pala o ka ua noe
The rain soaked ginger flowers

A eia no me a'u
Are here with me

I ka poli o ke aloha
In the embrace of love

E ku'u aloha e (e'ö)
My love

'Auhea la 'oe (eia mai au)
Where are you? (Here I am)

A huli aku au iä 'oe
I look for you

E ku'u aloha e (e'ö)
My love

'Auhea la 'oe (eia mai au)
Where are you? (Here I am)

A huli aku au iä 'oe
I look for you

E ku'u aloha e (e'ö)
My love