The One Hawaiian Song You Need to Learn

Hawai’i Aloha performed by top Hawaiian artists and over 1000 charter school students in 27 Hawaiian locations. This video was a collaboration in 2016 between non-profit Mana Maoli, Playing For Change and 4 Miles as part of their Mana Mele Project. Hawai’i Aloha is a song of unity, and Aloha ‘Aina, love of the Hawaiian lands. Let’s rise our voices together, now more than ever.

In Hawai’i, every important event and gathering is completed with the singing of Hawai’i Aloha. If you only learn one Hawaiian song, this is the one to learn in order to participate together with the community and the people of these islands.

Hawai’i Aloha was written in the 1870’s by Reverend Lorenzo Lyons to an old hymn,‘ I Left It All With Jesus’, composed by James McGranahan. Lyrics are below:

Hawai’i Aloha

O Hawaiʻi, O sands of my birth
My native home 
I rejoice in the blessings of heaven 
O Hawaiʻi, aloha.

 Chorus: 
Happy youth of Hawaiʻi 
Rejoice! Rejoice! 
Gentle breezes blow 
Love always for Hawaiʻi.

May your divine throngs speak 
Your loving people, O Hawaiʻi 
The holy light from above 
O Hawaiʻi, aloha. 
   (chorus)

God protects you 
Your beloved ridges 
Your ever glistening streams 
Your beautiful flower gardens. 
   (chorus)

E Hawaiʻi e kuʻu one hānau e
Kuʻu home kulaīwi nei 
ʻOli nō au i nā pono lani ou 
E Hawaiʻi, aloha ē

   Hui: 
E hauʻoli e nā ʻōpio o Hawaiʻi nei 
ʻOli ē! ʻOli ē!
Mai nā aheahe makani e pā mai nei 
Mau ke aloha, no Hawaiʻi

E haʻi mai kou mau kini lani e 
Kou mau kupa aloha, e Hawaiʻi 
Nā mea ʻōlino kamahaʻo no luna mai 
E Hawaiʻi aloha ē 
   (hui)

Nā ke Akua e mālama mai iā ʻoe 
Kou mau kualono aloha nei 
Kou mau kahawai ʻōlinolino mau 
Kou mau māla pua nani ē 
   (hui)