Pua ʻOlena - by Jimmy Kaholokula

 

Pua ʻolena, pua moe wale
I ka nahele e moe nei
Ka ua noe makaliʻi
E ʻala mai, hōʻike mai
I kou nani
Pua ʻolena, pua ʻolena

Pua ʻolena, dream filled beauty
Of my garden, deep in slumber
Kissed by misty summer rain
Come with me, come let's see
Of your beauty
Pua ʻolena, pua ʻolena

Lau ʻolena, lau pālulu
E peʻe nei kau mōhala
O ka makani hāwanawana
Hōʻike nei pua ʻolena
I kou nani
Pua ʻolena, pua ʻolena

Haʻina mai ka puana
Pua moe wale, pua moe ʻole
I ka nahele o Hanalei
Come with me, come let's see
Of your beauty
Pua ʻolena, pua ʻolena

ʻOlena Flower
 
ʻOlena Root
ʻOlena blossom, ʻolena blossom
In the forest, sleeping here
The misty rain summer rain
Awake and show now
Your beauty


 
 



 
Leaf ʻolena, leaf that shelters and protects
Hiding the bossom unfolding
The wind whispers
S
how your beauty
ʻOlena blossom, ʻolena blossom

Tell the story
Blossom asleep, blossom awake
In the forest of Hanalei
 


Source: McKee Collection - The ʻolena or turmeric root goes dormant after it blooms and was prized by Hawaiians for its medicinal qualities. This treatment for goiter is from Kahuna Lāʻau Lapaʻau Kalawela Rosa. The root was peeled, smashed and the juice extracted. For 5 or 7 consectuive days, the patient would take the proper dosage before breakfast, but after sunrise, lying on the stomach. This position was maintained for at least 15 minutes while the patient said the proper prayers. The patient was advised to eat limu kohu. ʻOlena was also used for dye and a fragrant tea.