Kaʻū Nui - Words by Mary Pukui, music by Maddy Lam

He aloha kuʻu one hānau
ʻO Kaʻū nui hiehie i ka makani
He home noho mau na ka wahine
Ka aīwaīwa nani o Kīlauea

Hoʻoheno i ka wai o Palahemo
Ia wai ʻāwili me ke kai
Me ka ua kaulana aʻo Haʻao
Hoʻopulu ʻelo i ka ʻili o ka malihini

Hanohano mau no ʻo Punaluʻu
I ka wai anu aʻo Puhau
I ka ʻiliʻili hānau aʻo Kōloa
Me ka nalu holu aʻo Kāwā

Haʻina ʻia mai ka puana
No Kaʻū niu hiehie i ka makani
He ʻāina aloha na ke kupa
Me na uʻi aʻo Kīlauea

Beloved are the sands of my birth
Great Kaʻū, distinguished in the wind
A home where the woman dwells
The wondrous beauty of Kīlauea

Cherished is the pool of Palahemo
Where fresh and salt water mix
And the famous rain Haʻao
Drenching travelers to the skin

Always honored is Punaluʻu
In having the cold spring, Puhau
The birth pebbles of Kōloa
And the swaying surf of Kāwā

The story is told
For great Kaʻū distinguished in the wind
A land loved by her people
And by the lovely one of Kīlauea

Source: Pamai Tenn collection - Verse 1 and 2, the wondrous beauty and lovely one of Kīlauea is Pele, volcano goddess. Verse 3, the birth pebbles of Kōloa are believed to reproduce