This song was written in the 1800s by Reverend Lorenzo Lyons. He was advised to do so by Kamehameha IV, who was the King of Hawaii at the time. This song taken from a Christian hymn that Kamehameha IV enjoyed. It was an important song during the Hawaiian Sovereignty movement and is still sung today in their culture both when there is a new governor, and at the opening ceremony of the Hawaii State Legislature. It is also sung at any large Hawaiian events, often times at the end, to wrap up the ceremonies. When this song is played and sang, everyone in the audience typically will stand, hold hands, sway, and sing along. During the last chorus, everyone also usually raises their hand above their heads still holding hands with the person next to them. The song’s lyrics express love for the land of Hawaii and our home as Native Hawaiians. It’s a song that promotes unity and pride within Hawaiians.
Everyone from Hawaii knows this song. It has been done several times by various artists because of the strong culture that has carried this song for years and years. I chose this song because I wanted to look into Christian music that was popular in Hawaii and what better than an old Christian hymn that has such a rich part of history in the nation. I have a friend that goes to school here from Hawaii and after talking to him about what I wanted to find, he pointed me in this direction.
Lyrics and translation:
https://www.huapala.org/Hawaii/Hawaii_Aloha.html
Some iterations of the popular song:
Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwoʻole – “Hawaiʻi Aloha”, Live at Miloliʻi (youtube.com)
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