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Kaulana N Pua

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Wikipedia article


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'"Kaulana N Pua"' (literally, "Famous are the flowers") is a Hawaiian patriotic song written by Eleanor Kekoaohiwaikalani Wright Prendergast (April 12, 1865 December 5, 1902) in 1893 for members of the Royal Hawaiian Band



who protested the overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani and the Hawaiian Kingdom. The song is also known under the title of 'Mele Ai Phaku', the 'Stone-Eating Song', or 'Mele Aloha ina', the 'Patriot's Song'. It is still popular in Hawaii today, although it is not clear how many non-Hawaiian speaking listeners are aware of the song's historical significance or the profound antipathy to U.S. annexation in its lyrics.

According to Elbert and Mahoe (1970), "The song was considered sacred and not for dancing." However, today hlau hula perform 'Kaulana N Pua' as a 'hula auana' for 'makuahine' (a graceful dance for mature women).

The Hawaiian lyrics,



with one English translation of them, are:



:

The "government" referred to in the song is the Provisional Government of Hawaii (which was later to become the Republic of Hawaii and subsequently the territory and state), proclaimed by the conspirators upon seizing power. Mrs. Prendergast composed the song for the Royal Hawaiian Band, who:

: had just walked out on their jobs after the bandmaster demanded they sign an oath of loyalty to the Provisional Government . The bandmaster said they had better sign or they would be eating rocks. It is obvious that they meant it was not right to sell one's country or loyalty to one's country for money. If we hold on to the land, the land will always feed us. [L]and endures. [https://web.archive.org/web/20050405135935/http://www.honoluluweekly.com/archives/coverstory%202003/01-08-03%20kaukaku/01-08-03%20kakukaku.html]

::—Noenoe Silva, assistant professor in political science, University of Hawaii at Mnoa, in 'Honolulu Weekly'

The Hawaiian Renaissance has lent the song 'Kaulana N Pua' renewed significance in recent years. Its words are often cited in the context of the Hawaiian sovereignty movement as an expression of opposition to U.S. rule.

References



* Elbert, Samuel H. and Noelani Mahoe, "N Mele o Hawaii Nei, 101 Hawaiian Songs", University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu, 1970,

*

* Liliuokalani, "Hawaii's Story by Hawaii's Queen", Charles E. Tuttle Company, Inc., Tokyo, Japan, 1964

Category:Hawaiian songs

Category:Overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom

Category:Patriotic songs

Category:Symbols of Hawaii

Category:1893 songs

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