The Leader of Inspiration Comes
He mele inoa no Obama
Name chant in honor of Barack Obama
Wrtiten by: Kumu Hula Manu Ikaika of Halau Ho‘omau I ka Wai Ola ‘O Hawai‘i
December 7, 2008
Language Advisor: Puakea Nogelmeier
(Ua haku ia e Manu Ikaika)
"Copyright Manu Ikaika December 7, 2008"
E nana i ke ali‘i, he kanaka ikaika
He keiki o ka ‘aina kupono la e
He pua o Hawai‘i, i kuhia i alaka‘i
Nana e ho‘oulu i ka pono, aloha e
‘Ike ‘ia ma ka lani la ka hikina ‘ana mai
Ka ‘imi ‘ana i ka pono me ke aloha
Paulele ‘ia ihola ka hulina
‘Oiai mau ke ea o ka ‘aina i ka pono
Ha‘ina ‘ia mai ana ka puana
Hiki mai ke alaka‘i e ho‘oulu hou
Uluhia maila
ke ola o ka ‘aina
Aloha no, e
He inoa no Barack Obama
TRANSLATION:
The Leader of Inspiration Comes
Look at our leader, a strong person is he
A child from the land of righteousness
A child of Hawaii destined to lead
Who will make goodness flourish, with aloha
Signs in the heavens tell of the coming of a new chief
Working for righteousness with love
Belief in change is instilled in the heart
For the life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness
Let the story be known in the telling
The leader to renew Inspiration has come
The living essence
of the land flourishes
We offer loving regard, indeed
A name song for Barack Obama
In Hawaiian culture, there is a strong oral tradition called a mele inoa, or name chant; the most famous ones are composed for Hawaiian kings and have been passed down for generations. Halau Ho’omau I ka Wai Ola O Hawai’i brings that tradition to the nation’s capital Inaugural weekend when it will debut a special mele inoa composed in honor of the 44th president.
In performances at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 18, at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI), the Hawaiian dance and music troupe will perform “Hiki Maila Ke Ali’i Ho’oulu,” a chant composed by Manu Ikaika, the group’s leader—with the assistance of language advisor Puakea Nogelmeier and kokua (help) from Aunty Lolena Nicholas and Kaleo Keawe—in honor of the Hawaii-born president. The Alexandria-based group is comprised of more than 80 members from Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia.
According to Honolulu’s Bishop Museum, a “mele inoa is a name chant composed in honor of a person and a gift that will remain for generations to come.” Ikaika said, “The inauguration of Barack Obama has a special significance to the people of Hawaii. This oli (chant) is our special gift to our country’s new leader.” As is traditional, Ikaika has composed two versions, a mele inoa “Hiki Maila Ke Ali’i Ho’oulu,” (name song to be performed with accompaniment) and an oli, “He Kama O Hawaii,” (a chant performed without accompaniment).
Ikaika likens the excitement around inaugural festivities to the coronation of Hawaii’s last king 125 years ago. “At the coronation of King David Kalakaua, Hawaii experienced a cultural renaissance with the reintroduction of Hawaiian music, traditions and chants that were suppressed far too long,” said Ikaika. “The inauguration of our first Hawaii-born president signifies another kind of cultural renaissance for America, one that celebrates our great diversity and embraces the tremendous value it brings to our country.”
“Barack Obama’s presidency opens the White House to people of all backgrounds, to all Americans,” said Ikaika, the troupe’s kumu hula or leader.
The chant will be performed in the soaring Potomac Atrium of the museum by students of the halau (school). “I would like to issue a special invitation for all the Hawaii residents that will be in DC for the inauguration to join us for this performance,” said Ikaika. “It’s free and we plan to involve our audience in the festivities.”
Hawaii Senator Daniel K. Akaka has been invited to participate in the event. “The people of Hawaii are very excited about the accomplishments of one of their own,” said Senator Akaka. “This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the great beauty and spirit of our people and the vibrant traditions of our state.”
Kumu Ikaika said he was very honored for their offering of assistance with the oli and mele inoa. “I am very grateful to Puakea Nogelmeier, a professor of Hawaiian language, for his expert advice and for the kokua from Aunty Lolena Nicholas and Kaleo Keawe,” said Ikaika. “Their guidance and willingness to help is very much appreciated and ensured that the oli and the mele inoa are true to our language and will stand the test of time.”
(Son of Hawaii)
An OLI written by Kumu Hula Manu Ikaika in honor of Barack Obama
December 7, 2008
Language Advisor: Puakea Nogelmeier
(Ua haku ia e Manu Ikaika)
"Copyright Manu Ikaika December 7, 2008"
Nana i ke ali‘i, ke kanaka ikaika
Keiki o ka ‘aina i ka pono e
He pua o Hawai‘i, i kuhia i alaka‘i
Nana e ho‘oulu i ka pono, aloha e
‘Ike ‘ia ma ka lani la ka hikina ‘ana mai
Ka ‘imi ‘ana i ka pono me ke aloha
E ha‘aheo mau e ka lei o ka aina
Ko aloha la ea, ko aloha la ea
Paulele ‘ia ihola ka hulina
‘Oiai mau ke ea o ka ‘aina i ka pono
I mau aloa‘a ka lei o ka lanakila
‘O ka ‘ike kupuna me ke one hanau ka lamaku e malamalama mau e
E ola mai
Ka pono o ke ao
E aloha e
He inoa no Barack Obama
TRANSLATION:
Son of Hawaii
Look at our leader, a strong person is he
A child from the land of righteousness
A child of Hawaii destined to lead
Who will make goodness flourish, with aloha
Signs in the heavens tell of the coming of a new chief
Working for righteousness with love
Always be proud, oh child of the land
Keep your love, embody your love
Belief in change is instilled in the heart
For the life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness
Always go forward and receive the garland of victory
May the wisdom of the ancestors and the sands of your birth be the torch to light the way
May the goodness live and flourish
Oh, there be
The breath of life
