Hawaii Aloha
Words and Music By: Lorenzo Lyons, 1807-1886, James
McGranahan, 1840-1907 english translation, Annie
Kanahele and Edith Wolfe
He Mele Aloha: 045
SOLFEGE: drmmfmmddL
Source: Na Mele o Hawai`i Nei by Elbert & Mahoe - One of the most beloved songs
written by Rev. Lorenzo Lyons, also known as Makua Laiana, was taken from an old
hymn "I Left It All With Jesus" composed by James McGranahan (1840-1907). Rev.
Lyons arrived as a missionary in Waimea, Hawai`i, July 16, 183. He translated more
than 900 hymns, became a citizen of Hawai`i and died in Waimea, Oct. 6, 1886.
Hawaii Aloha was considered by the Hawaii State Legislature in 1967 and by the
Hawaii State Constitutional Convention in 1978 to become the official state song.
Traditionally, the last verse and chorus is sung with all hands raised above heads.
The act of raising hands is most especially important to advocates of the Hawaiian
sovereignty movement.
Sample Song List:
Artist, Album, Date
Kawaiahao Church Choir, Hawai'i Aloha
Daniel Ho, Mysteries, 1999
George Kahumoku Jr, E Lili'u, 1995
John Keawe, Aloha Kaikua`ana, 2002
Ray Kane, Punahele, 1994
This Kanikapila Guide Sheet is for personal enjoyment and education only. Selling this KGS or making a profit performing this
song without the express written consent from the copyright owner(s) is strictly prohibited and punishable by law.
Page 1
REVISED 03/06/2006
Hawaii Aloha
Key of G Major () 4/4 Time
Song Structure:
Verse 16 bars
|I | |I7 IV|I | |V7 | |I | | |I7 IV|I | |V7 | |I |
Hui 16 bars
|I IV| | I| | | | V7| | I | I7 |IV I| | V7| | | I|
-- Repeat
Kika Ki Hoalu Basic Chords (Taro Patch G Tuning DGDGBD)
I = G Major
I7 = G7
G (I)
Root
G Chord Form g c g c e g 0
IV = C Major
G7 (I7)
Root
G7 Chord Form g c g c e
Root
C Chord Form
V7 = D7
C (IV)
g
g
D7 (V7)
Root
D7 Chord Form
n
p
t
p
5 1 5 1 3 5
D G D G B D
Inversion
E Chord Form
G (I)
5 1 5 1 3 7b
D G D G B F
G7 (I7)
Inversion
E7 Chord Form
r
p
p
same as
n
n 5
standard G n
?
1 3 1 3 5 1
D G D B D G
3 5 3 5 1 3
E G E G C E
C (IV)
Inversion
G Chord Form
p 4
3 5 3 5 7b 3
F# A F# A C F#
D7 (V7)
Inversion
C7 Chord Form
r t 3
p
3
p 4
t
5
3 5 3 7b 1 3
F# A F# C D F#
r n r n p r 5
7b 3 1 3 5 7b
F G D B D F
5 1 5 1 3 5
G C G C E G
Ukulele Basic Chords (C Tuning GCEA)
I = G Major
G (I)
Root
F Chord Form
Two Bs
Two 3s r p
n
3
p
I7 = G7
3 5 1 3
B D G B
Inversion
D Chord Form
Two Ds
Two 5s
IV = C Major
C (IV)
Root
C Chord Form g c e
Two Cs
Two 1s
G7 (I7)
Root
G7 Chord Form c
t
r
p
C (IV)
Inversion
A Chord Form
Two Cs
Two 1s
r n 3
p
p
r n p
5 1 3 5
D G B D
3 7b 1 5
B F G D
D7 (V7)
r n p 2
t
5 1 3 1
G C E C
G7 (I7)
Inversion
E7 Chord Form
Root
C7 Chord Form
5 Low
n 3
1 5 7b 3
G D F B
G (I)
V7 = D7
5 1 3 7b
A D F# C
Inversion
A7 Chord Form
7b Low
D7 (V7)
t r n 5
p
n
1 3 5 1
C E G C
7b 3 5 1
C F# A D
Performance Notes: Each line of the verse has a two beat pickup. This is traditionally
the last song at Hawaiian gatherings sung before dispersing. This song may be too high to
sing in the key of G. If so, slack the kika to Taro Patch F and play the ukulele chords as F,
F7, Bb, and C7. The closing line E HawaiI, aloha is often repeated as the parting line.
This Kanikapila Guide Sheet is for personal enjoyment and education only. Selling this KGS or making a profit performing this
song without the express written consent from the copyright owner(s) is strictly prohibited and punishable by law.
Page 2
REVISED 03/06/2006
Hawaii Aloha
Verse and turnaround as Intro
Verse:
G
G7
E Ha-|-wai'i e ku`u | one hnau | |
D7
O sands of my birth,
Ku'u | home | kuliiwi | nei |
G
G7
My native home
'Oli | n au i n | pono lani | ou |
G
D7
I rejoice in the blessings of heaven
G (G7)
E Ha-|-wai'I, | aloha | |
O beloved Hawai`i
Hui: (often repeated twice)
G
| E Hau 'oli | e n 'pio | o Hawai'i nei | |
G
Happy youth of Hawai`i
D7
| 'Oli ! | | 'Oli ! | |
G
Rejoice! Rejoice!
G7
| Mai n ahe-|-ahe makani e | p mai nei | |
G
D7
Gentle breezes blow
G (G7)
| Mau ke alo-|-ha, no | Hawai'I | |
Love always for Hawai`i
Turnaround ??
Instrumental Bridge of Verse and turnaround
or Paani
~~ Repeat ~~
This Kanikapila Guide Sheet is for personal enjoyment and education only. Selling this KGS or making a profit performing this
song without the express written consent from the copyright owner(s) is strictly prohibited and punishable by law.
Page 3
REVISED 03/06/2006
Hawaii Aloha
Additional Verses:
E ha`i mai kou mau kini lani ou
Kou mau kupa aloha, e Hawai`I
N mea `lino kamaha`o no luna mai
E Hawai`i aloha
N ke Akua E mlama mai i `oe
Kou mau kualona aloha nei
Kou mau kahawai `linolino mau
Kou mau mla pua nani
May your divine throngs speak
Your loving people, o Hawai`i
The holy light from above
O beloved Hawai`i
May God protect you
Your beloved ridges
Your ever glistening streams
Your beautiful gardens
This Kanikapila Guide Sheet is for personal enjoyment and education only. Selling this KGS or making a profit performing this
song without the express written consent from the copyright owner(s) is strictly prohibited and punishable by law.
Page 4
REVISED 03/06/2006
