Makaha Sons Nã Kãnaka Holo Lio Lyrics

Nâ Kânaka holo lio
Maluna o nâ lio heihei, la
E kala loa aku nei, la
Kuehu aku kula o ka 'âina

Nâ Kânaka holo lio
Maluna o nâ lio heihei, la
I ka wâ o Kalâkaua
Kuehu aku lina poepoe

Nâ Kânaka holo lio
Ua heihei aku lâkou, la
Aia ma Kapio'olani Pâka
I ka lina poepoe mua la

Nâ Kânaka holo lio
Hanohano ka 'ikena mâ ô, la
Mâkaukau 'ia nâ holo lio, la
No ka ho'okûkû o ka lâ

Nâ Kânaka holo lio
Maluna o nâ lio heihei, la
Kokoke i lua 'o Lê'ahi
Kâhi pâ ka makani mai Ko'olau la

The horsemen (of Hawai'i)
Mounted on race horses
A long time ago
Stirred dust along the plains

The horsemen (of Hawai'i)
Mounted on race horses
In the time of King Kalâkaua
Stirred dust around the racetrack

The horsemen (of Hawai'i)
Raced
There at Kapio1olani Park
At the first racetrack

The horsemen (of Hawai'i)
Glorious was the sight
As the horsemen prepared
For the competition of the day

The horsemen (of Hawai'i)
Mounted on race horses
Near the crater, Lê'ahi
Where the wind blows from the Ko'olau mountains

Source: Palani Vaughan & The King's Own "Ia 'oe E Ka La Helu 'Elua - Volume II" - Horses were first introduced in 1803, causing "great astonishment" among the natives. By 1840, horse racing was a favorite pastime of Hawaiians and races were common along Wilder Avenue. Sunday afternoon races were held in the 1850's and by the 1880's, a permanent one mile circular track was in use at Kapi'olani Park. Nâkâhili Productions, P.O. Box 1617, Honolulu, HI., 96806