Thursday, May 13, 2010

Kanaka Wai Wai

Ladies,
Here is the dance that the women will be performing for the Luau on June 12th. The title of the song is "Kanaka Wai Wai" and it is a beautiful song about the Savior. Nala shows us the movements in the video and the lyrics and translation are below. Good Luck! Shake it!



Ma ke alahele `o Iesû
On the road, Jesus

I hâlâwai aku ai
Met

Me ke kanaka `ôpio hanohano
With the dignified young man

Kaulana i ka waiwai
Famous for (his) wealth

Pane mai e ka `ôpio:
The youth asked:

"E ku`u Haku maika`i
"My good Lord

He aha ho`i ka`u e hana aku ai
What must I do

I loa'a e ke ola mau?"
To be given eternal life?"

"`E hâ`awi, e hâ`awi lilo
"Give, give away (all) entirely

I kou mau waiwai
Your riches

Huli a hahai mai ia`u
Turn and follow me

I loa`a e ke ola mau iâ `oe"
To obtain eternal life for you

Minamina e ka `ôpio
The youth was sorrowful

I kona mau waiwai
Of (losing) his wealth

I ke ku`ai a hâ`awi lilo aku
Of selling and giving it all away

I ka po`e nele a hune
To the needy and poor people

Huli a`e `o Iesû lâ
Turning then, Jesus

Pane aku i ka `ôpio:
Replied to the youth:

"`A`ole a`e hiki ke kanaka waiwai
Unable to rise, the young rich man,

I ke Aupuni o ka Lani"
To the Kingdom of Heaven


Source: Keola Donaghy, Copyright J. Almeida 1971, Translated by Haunani Bernardino - Based on the parable from Matthew 19:16-24, Almeida composed the music in 1915, for a Mormon church in Honolulu who rejected the song because it sounded too much like a hula. The original chords and music was not the way it is sung today. First recorded in 1946 by John Almeida with the Genoa Keawe trio.