The Hawaii State Song

Hawai`i Pono`i

words by King David Kalakaua and music by Professor Henry Berger, the Royal Bandmaster

   Hawaii ponoi Nana i kou, moi
   Kalani Alii, ke Alii.
   Makua lani e Kamehameha e
   Na kaua e pale Me ka ihe.

Translation:

   Hawaii's own true sons, be loyal to your chief
   Your country's liege and lord, the Alii(1).
   Father above us all, Kamehameha(2),
   Who guarded in the war with his ihe(3).

   (1) Alii (ah-lee-ee) sovereign
   (2) Kamehameha (Kah-may'-ha-may'-ha)
       king who first unified the islands.
   (3) Ihe (ee-hay) spear

Adoption of State Song

"Hawai'i Pono'i" was the Kingdom of Hawai`i's national anthem from 1876 to 1893. On June 13, 1967, the State Legislature adopted it as Hawai`i's state song.