"Kaho`olawe" Was written by: Kumu Hula, Emma Kahelelani Bishop

The original version
"Kaho`olawe" is an island in the Hawaiian chain, that once was used by the U.S. Military air defense as a bombing range until Hawaiians protested its misuse and fought in court to stop the illegal bombing and return the island to its natural state.

Performer: Emma Kahelelani Bishop with Julia Nui's Kamaainas
Writer: Emma Kahelelani Bishop
Auntie Emma, also known as "Mama" was a Kumu Hula and taught many who went on in their careers in hula to become well known Kumu Hula themselves.
Here is an article describing her and other Kumu, who were influential in their days as Hula instructors here in Hawaii.

https://www.honolulumagazine.com/keep...

Another story of early Hawaii and the island of "Kaho`olawe"

Ka Huakai Alii a Kalani Moi Davida Kalakaua (The Royal Journey of His Majesty, King David Kalakaua) was an article dated Dec. 30, 1875, that appeared in Ka Lâhui Hawai`i, a Hawaiian Language newspaper. The article, translated by Jason Mejia and Adam Mick, described a morning visit to Kaho`olawe by the King. Accompanied by Gov. Sam Parker, members of his royal court and the paddlers of two skiffs, he walked along the road decorated with `ie`ie vines from the edge of the ocean to the homes. After breakfast, he met with the chief of Kaho`olawe, Lewis Richards, a whaler from France, who arrived in Hawai`i, 186l. The total population of the island was 6, including Richards, another foreign man, their 2 Hawaiian wives and 2 children. Although he was disappointed there were no qualified natives to teach him about the island, the king and his retinue traveled inland to Pu`u o Ulapu`u hill and on to the point of Kealaikahiki. He described the upland forest plants including mâmane, `âkia nene`e, wiliwili, mahiki, mau`u pilipili and the beach plants of puawa and nohu. He saw creeks and bubbling water springs and described the land as sufficient to support ranching for the 20,000 sheep and a population of not more than 50 people. It was necessary to bring food and provisions from the other islands. Bidding farewell to the residents, the royal visitors returned to the ship at 11:00 A.M.

........................

Lyrics in Hawaiian:

Ha`aheo wale ho`i `oe
E Kaho`olawe `âina kaulana
Ho`oheno ana ‘oe
Me ka hinahina

E aloha i ke kô a ka wai
I ka`i mai ua anu kâua
A luna au
O Kaho`olawe

Ahuwale nâ pua hinahina
Lua`ole nâ hano a ka makani
O ke Kiu Ke`e ia
A`o nâ pali

Ha`ina `ia mai
Ana ka puana
Nohona a mana`o mai
`O au e ke hoa

.......................


English:

You are proud, indeed
Kaho`olawe, famous land
You are so cherished
With your hinahina

Enjoy the water
We seek shelter from the chilly rain
High
On Kaho`olawe

Abundant, the hinahina blossoms
Incomparable, the breeze that blows
The wind named Kiu Ke`e
Of the cliffs

Tell
The refrain
My thoughts return to my home
And my friends