Ua haku ‘ia e ke Ke’ena Kuleana Hawai’i i mele lāhui Hawai’i no ka ‘aha hō’eu’eu kānaka’o Nā ‘Ōiwi ‘Ōlino ma ka Haleali’i ‘o ‘Iolani ma ka lā 15 o ‘Ianuali, 2003.
Verse one and chorus composed by staff of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs as a song for the Hawaiian nation on the occasion of the Nā ‘Ōiwi ‘Ōlino rally at ‘Iolani Palace, January 15, 2003.
The shared creation of four additional verses (completion of four and five in 2007) talks about the required balanced efforts of the mind, body and spirit to successfully advance Native Hawaiian self-determination for the long term.
Mele:
E ō e nā ‘ōiwi ‘ōlino ‘eā Nā pulapula a Hāloa ‘eā Mai Hawai’i a Ni’ihau ‘eā A puni kea o mālamalama ‘eā ē |
Answer, O natives, those who seek wisdom The descendants of Hāloa From Hawai’i island in the east to Ni’ihau in the west And around this brilliant world |
Kū’ē au i ka hewa, kū’ē! Kū au i ka pono, kū! Kū’ē au i ka hewa, kū’ē! Kū au i ka pono, kū! |
I resist injustice, resist! I stand for righteousness, stand! I resist injustice, resist! I stand for righteousness, stand! |
Aloha e nā kūpuna kahiko ‘eā Nāna e ho’oulu mai nei ‘eā Iā kākou e holo pono ‘eā A loa’a e ka lei lanakila ‘eā ē |
Love to our ancient forebears Who continue to inspire us To move forward on a righteous path That the adornment of victory will be realized |
Kū’ē au i ka hewa, kū’ē! Kū au i ka pono, kū! Kū’ē au i ka hewa, kū’ē! Kū au i ka pono, kū! |
I resist injustice, resist! I stand for righteousness, stand! I resist injustice, resist! I stand for righteousness, stand! |
E hana kākou me ke ahonui ‘eā A pili me ka hā a ke aloha ‘eā ‘Oiai e kūlia i ka nu’u ‘eā A kau i ka ‘iu o luna ‘eā ē |
Let us work together with patience Holding close the essence of aloha As we strive for the very best Until we achieve our ultimate goal |
Kū’ē au i ka hewa, kū’ē! Kū au i ka pono, kū! Kū’ē au i ka hewa, kū’ē! Kū au i ka pono, kū! |
I resist injustice, resist! I stand for righteousness, stand! I resist injustice, resist! I stand for righteousness, stand! |
Ka’i mai e nā hoa kui lima ‘eā Lei ‘ia i ka pua lehua ‘eā Akaka wale ho’i ka mana’o ‘eā I ka ‘ā o ke ahi awakea ‘eā ē |
March forward partners together, arm in arm Wearing adornments of crimson (lehua) Thoughts are clear and focused As the torch is ignited at mid-day |
Kū’ē au i ka hewa, kū’ē! Kū au i ka pono, kū! Kū’ē au i ka hewa, kū’ē! Kū au i ka pono, kū! |
I resist injustice, resist! I stand for righteousness, stand! I resist injustice, resist! I stand for righteousness, stand! |
Welowelo e ka hae Hawai’i ‘eā I hō’ailona wehi no nā kini ‘eā Ke Akua pū me kākou ‘eā I pono ke ea o ka ‘āina ‘eā ē |
The Hawaiian flag waves proudly on the breeze As an adorning symbol of the multitudes May God be with us always That the life of the land will be pono |
Kū’ē au i ka hewa, kū’ē! Kū au i ka pono, kū! Kū’ē au i ka hewa, kū’ē! Kū au i ka pono, kū! |
I resist injustice, resist! I stand for righteousness, stand! I resist injustice, resist! I stand for righteousness, stand! |
He mele no nā ‘ōiwi ‘ōlino, kū! | A song for the natives who seek wisdom, stand up! |
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