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UH Wind Ensemble plays special rendition of ‘Lahainaluna’ in tribute

By Staff | Oct 6, 2023

Watch a video of the performance at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4P6ESnwXlk0.

Like many of those in Hawaiʻi who watched with heavy hearts the devastation that the wildfires left on Maui, the members of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Wind Ensemble felt a desire to honor those who were lost, those who survived, and those who are working to help the community.

The students from the UH Bands program paid tribute to the Lahaina community through a performance of “Lahainaluna,” the alma mater of Lahainaluna High School. The song was written in 1898 by Albert Kaleikini, a student at Lahainaluna High School. It is the only alma mater in the United States written in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi.

The UH Wind Ensemble, consisting of approximately 45 members, played the piece during a rehearsal in September, and they will be performing it in front of a live audience at the program’s fall concert on Oct. 8 at 4 p.m. at the Michael D. Nakasone Performing Arts Center in Pearl City.

“Our hearts are with our ʻohana in Lahaina and on Maui during this challenging time,” said Director of Bands Jeffrey Boeckman.

“We have several Maui students in the group, and wanted to express our support through our music. Lahainaluna’s lovely and powerful alma mater serves as a testament to the strength and spirit of this remarkable community.”

Here are the lyrics:

Lahainaluna High School Alma Mater

(Words and Music by Albert Kaleikini; Arranged by Samuel K. Mookini) (kahako not included)

‘O ka Malu ‘ulu o Lele (Nō e ka ‘oi)

Nā kualono nani ” (kū kilakila)

Me ka ua kilikilihune (Aʻo Hālona)

Hoʻopulu i ke oho o ka palai

CHORUS (HUI)

‘O Lāhainā, Lāhaināluna nani

Ka hōkū hele ho’i o ka Pakipika

Ipu kukui ‘a ā mau (Pio ‘ole)

I ka makani Kaua ‘ula

Hu ‘i anu ka wai ma uka (Wai piula)

Ka ‘o” nenehe ike aumoe (‘Olu ”)

‘Au ‘au nā manu o ka uka (‘Oka uka weli)

Ho ‘olono i ka leo pelekani

(CHORUS-HUI)

Oh, the land of shadow of the flying breadfruit

The wonder of lands

With the every spraying delightful showers

(of Halona)

Wetting the foliage of the ferns

Oh, Lahaina, Lahainaluna nani (beauty)

The leading star of the Pacific

The ever burning torch which cannot be

Extinguished by the fierce winds of Kaua’ula

With the cool waters from the mountains

(the springing waters)

Dripping silently during the midnight

(so comforting)

The Birds happily bathing in its freshness

Listen to their echo in the valley