Aloha IZ ohana, (Read more below)
Here is a short version of IZ singing in Acapella the song "Waialae" pronounced (Why - Ah - Lie) here in the islands. I have added the track from his album "In Dis Life" as well and my Art of IZ , and a photo and life details about the original composer of this great mele by: "Mekia Kealakia" Who wrote this Mele during a visit to the home of Paul Isenberg in the Honolulu neighborhood celebrated in the title. Composing songs to bless homes used to be common practice in Hawaiian music. The melody is often cited as a good example of the Mexican influence on local music.
Below are the lyrics in both English and Hawaiian, as well as the story about the man who wrote the Mele some 100 years ago. Please leave a comment and tell us how you like it?
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Lyrics Hawaiian:
Waiʻalae - Mekia Kealakai
Ua ʻike no paha ʻoe
I ka ʻiʻini a ka manaʻo
Hoʻokahi mapuna leo
Ua lawa ia i ka makemake
Hui:
Aia hiki ko aloha
Kuʻu home i Waiʻalae
Ko aloha hiki ʻaumoe
Pulupē i ke kēhau
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Lyrics English:
You have known
The desire of the mind
Just to hear your voice
Is sufficient to satisfy me
Chorus:
When your love comes
To my home at Waiʻalae
Your love comes at midnight
Drenched with the dew
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"Waialae" written by: Mekia Kealakai Pronounced (May - Key - Ah : Kay - Ala - Ky)
King's Hawaiian Melodies - Mekia, (major in Hawaiian), one of 13 children, was the son of a sergeant major. Born in Honolulu, Oct. 15, 1867, he died at Waipahu on March 29, 1944.
At age 12, he was send to reform school for truancy and became a pupil of Henri Berger, the Royal Hawaiian Bandmaster. Within 3 years, he became a good trombonist, an even better flutist and was admitted to the Royal Hawaiian Band, at age 15. His ability and talent to compose was so developed, it was said he could compose on the spot, by request. This mele was written for the area of Waiʻalae, location of the home of Paul Isenberg. This is not a love song for a person, rather a love song for a place. Translated by Mary Pukui. © 1919, 1943 Charles E. King
Source: www.huapala.org/Wai/Waialae.html
Wikipedia:
Mekia Kealakai (October 15, 1867- March 31, 1944) was a musician, composer and conductor of the Royal Hawaiian Band, as well as musical director of the Kawaihau Orchestra and Glee Club.
He was born on Oahu, and incorrigible in his youth. He was sent to the Reformatory School of Honolulu, where he learned music from Royal Hawaiian Band conductor Henri Berger, who eventually made him a member of the band. He toured the mainland United States with the band in 1895, and off and on during his life span would be associated with the band until his retirement as a musician.
Kealakai, who played guitar, trombone and flute, eventually left the Royal Hawaiian Band, and at one time was a musical director of the Kawaihau Orchestra and Glee Club, touring the mainland United States. Within a couple of years, he had formed the Royal Hawaiian Orchestra and was playing in Idaho. While performing at the 1901 World's Fair, Kealakaʻi met and married hula dancer Mele Nawa`aheihei who remained with him the rest of her life. In 1914, under the name Major (English translation of Mekia) Kealakai, he published The Ukulele and How to Play It: Self Instructor for the Ukulele and Taro-Patch Fiddle.
Compositions
His composition of "Kawaihau Waltz" was first recorded as a duet by the guitarists David K. Kaili and Pale K. Lua on the Victor label in 1914, and in 1915 on the same label as the "B" side of "My Bird Of Paradise", by guitarists Helen and Frank Ferera in 1915. Ferera recorded the song three more times, in 1918 as a trio with Helen Ferera and Irene Greenus, in 1921 as a duet with Anthony J. Franchini, and in 1922 as a quartet instrumental. It was subsequently also recorded by numerous other artists. Many of Kealakai's compositions have continued to be recorded by Hawaiian artists such as Alfred Apaka, Sunday Manoa, The Brothers Cazimero, Andy Cummings, Gabby Pahinui and Sonny Chillingworth
Partial listing of Mele's written by Mekia:
"E Pele E"
"Halena Medley"
"Kawaihau Waltz"
"Lei Awapuhi"
"Na Lani Eha"
"Pohai Ke Aloha" (co-written with Lena Machado)
"Waipi‘o (to Kahalelaukoa) Beyond the Rainbow
Aloha,
Boda
12 мар 2022
