List of compositions and works by Likelike

Princess Likelike and her siblings King David Kalākaua, Queen Liliʻuokalani, and Crown Prince Leleiohoku II, were known as the Nā Lani ʻEhā (The Royal Four): aliʻi who were renowned as composers and champions of Hawaiian music in the latter half of the 19th century.[1] With Likelike's siblings, she led one of the three royal music clubs that held regular friendly competitions to outdo each other in song and poetry while she was alive. "ʻĀinahau", the most famed of Likelike's works, was composed about the Cleghorn residence in Waikiki, the gathering place for Sunday afternoon musical get-togethers where she wrote most of her compositions. She encouraged the musical education of her daughter, Princess Kaʻiulani, and sponsored concerts and musical pageants. The patronage she gave to young musicians and composers helped perpetuate Hawaiian music.[2]

Princess Likelike

ʻĀinahau

ʻĀinahau, one of the homes of the Oʻahu chiefs, was part of the 10-acre (40,000 m2) estate inherited by Princess Ruth Keʻelikōlani. Originally called Auaukai, Princess Likelike named it ʻĀinahau or "Cool Land" when she lived there with her husband, Archibald Scott Cleghorn, who turned it into a botanical garden. The stream that flowed through ʻĀinahau and emptied into the ocean where the present Outrigger Hotel is located, was called Apuakehau. She wrote a song about her home the "Cool Land".[3]

Lyrics
Na ka wai lūkini It is the perfume and the lovely
Wai anuhea o ka rose Fragrance of roses that sweeten
E hoʻopē nei i ka liko o nā pua The leaf buds of the flowering plants
Na ka manu pīkake The peacocks
Manu hulu melemele And the yellow feathered birds
Nā kāhiko ia o kuʻu home Are the adornments of my home
   
Hui: Chorus:
Nani wale kuʻu home Beautiful is my home
ʻO ʻĀinahau i ka ʻiu ʻĀinahau so regal
I ka holunape Where the fronds
A ka lau o ka niu Of the coco palms sway
I ka uluwehiwehi The beautiful grove
I ke ʻala o nā pua The fragrance of flowers
Kuʻu home, kuʻu home i ka ʻiuʻiu At my home, my home so regal
   
Na ka makani It is the gentle breeze
Aheahe i pā mai makai From the sea
I lawe mai i ke That brings the sweet
Onaona līpoa Odor of līpoa sea weed
E hoʻoipo hoʻonipo me ke ʻala Mingling with the fragrance of my love
O kuʻu home kuʻu home Of my home, my home
Kuʻu home i ka ʻiuʻiu My home so regal[3]

Maikaʻi Waipiʻo

Maikaʻi Waipiʻo translated as Beautiful Waipiʻo, was a song dedicated to Queen Emma whose beauty reminded Princess Likelike of Waipiʻo and was the inspiration for the song. In keeping with Hawaiian tradition, the song belonged to the Queen rather than the composer.[4]

Lyrics
Maikaʻi Waipiʻo Beautiful Waipiʻo
Alo lua i nā pali With cliffs facing each other
E pōʻai a puni ana Surrounded by cliffs
A hapa naʻe makai With an opening toward the sea
   
Hui: Chorus:
Maʻemaʻe ka pua Beautiful are the blossoms
I ka holo aʻe a ka wai Rain-washed
Ua ʻenaʻena i ka lā Sun warmed and
Mōhala i nā pali Blooming on the cliff
   
Hoihoi ka piʻina Delightful the ascent
ʻO Koaʻekea To Koaʻekea
Piʻi nō a hoʻomaha An ascent that takes one to rest
I ka Holokūaīwa At Holokūaīwa[4]

Ahe Lau Makani

Ahe Lau Makani, meaning there is a breath, was a waltz composed jointly with the Princess's sister Liliʻuokalani and Kapoli Kamakau, a mysterious collaborator who, to this day, remains unidentified.[5]

Kuʻu Ipo I Ka Heʻe Puʻe One

Kuʻu Ipo I Ka Heʻe Puʻe One translated as My Sweetheart In the Rippling Hills,[6] was a song originally called Ka ʻOwe a ke Kai(The Murmuring of The Sea). The English translation is by Ruth Leilani Tyau and S. H. Elbert.[6] Perhaps the most famous of Likelike's compositions, many believe it was written for a heartbroken girl who could not marry the love of her life.[7]

Lyrics
Kuʻu ipo i ka heʻe puʻe one My sweetheart in the rippling hills of sand
Me ke kai nehe i ka ʻiliʻili With the sea rustling the pebbles
Nipo aku i laila ka manaʻo There, the memory is impassioned
Ua kiliʻopu māua i ka nahele In the forest where we delighted
   
Hui: Chorus:
Eiā la e maliu mai Here, please listen
Eiā ko aloha i ʻaneʻi Here, your lover is here.
Hiki mai ana i ka pō nei He came last night
Ua kiliʻopu māua i ka nahele We delighted in the forest
   
Ka ʻowē nenehe a ke kai The gentle rustle of the sea
Hone ana i ka piko waiʻolu Softly in the pleasant center
I laila au la ʻike Where I looked
Kiliʻopu māua i ka nahele We delighted in the forest
   
Hiki ʻē mai ana ka makani The wind came first
Ua hala ʻē aku e ka Puʻulena The Puʻulena wind passed by
Ua lose kou chance e ke hoa You've lost your chance, oh friend
Ua kiliʻopu māua i ka nahele We delighted in the forest[7]

See also
  • List of compositions and works by Leleiohoku
  • List of compositions and works by Liliuokalani

References
  1. Ka Wai Ola – April 2008 – V25, No. 4 Archived 2008-08-20 at the Wayback Machine
  2. "Miriam Likelike (1851–1887)". Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame Honorees. Retrieved 2009-12-20.
  3. Ainahau
  4. "Maikaʻi Waipiʻo (Beautiful Waipiʻo) – Princess Miriam Likelike". Hawaiian Music and Hula Archives. Retrieved 2009-12-20.
  5. Daniel Ho Creations – Puukani Archived 2008-05-13 at the Wayback Machine
  6. Na mele o Hawai'i nei: 101 Hawaiian songs By Samuel H. Elbert, Noelani Mahoe. Page 70
  7. "Kuʻu Ipo I Ka Heʻe Puʻe One – Princess Miriam Likelike". Hawaiian Music and Hula Archives. Archived from the original on 2007-08-18. Retrieved 2009-12-20.
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