In 1886, Liliʻuokalani purchased a parcel of land at auction from the estate of Simon Kaʻai, who had received it from Princess Ruth Keʻelikōlani (Hawaiiʻ’s Story by Hawaii’s Queen). Liliʻuokalani named this place “Muʻolaulani” and built a home there. In this song, she expressed her joy in living at Muʻolaulani, feeling more comfortable and freer to invite hānai and entertain guests than at Washington Place. “How nice to be surrounded by everything luxurious, in one’s own home,” she wrote in her diary. (Moon Kauakahi)

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He mea nui ke aloha

Ke hiki mai i oʻu nei

Mehe ʻo kuʻu lei kaimana ala

Kāhiko no kuʻu kino.

 

Hui:

Kuʻu lei popohe i ka laʻi

Nohea i Muʻolaulani

Ka beauty lā, he mau ia

No nā kau a kau.

 

He pua i luna kaʻu liʻa

He mea laha ʻole na loko

He waiwai hiʻilani naʻu

ʻO ka ʻoi nō ia o Hawaiʻi.

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*Compiled by Michael-Thomas Foumai. Digitally published for the Hawaiʻi Symphony Sheraton Starlight Series on June 4-6 2021.