"Hawaii '78"--For Wanda & Paul

Written by Mickey Ioane and popularized by the Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau featuring brothers Skippy & Israel Kamakawi'wiole. This song contemplates the disappointment & sorrow the king & queen of the Kingdom of Hawaii would have felt if they were around to see the modernization of Hawaii today. This song is near & dear to all Hawaii residents regardless of their ethnic background and we hope we do this mele justice. Duke Domingo(sirduke58) on lead vocals & 8 string ukulele; Derek Higa (ho'okani) on vocal harmony & 12 string Koa Taylor rhythm guitar; Ikaika Machida( s.m.80808) on lead guitar.We invite you to sing and play along with us. The very simple chords are Amaj--Fmaj--Gmaj looped through the entire song.This song was actually recorded in the key of Dmaj but I transposed it to Amaj to fit my limited vocal range.


"Hawaii '78"

Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono o' Hawaii
Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono o' Hawaii

Just for a day our king & queen
Would visit all the islands and saw everything
How would they feel about the changes of our land?
Could you just imagine if they were around
And saw highways on their sacred grounds
How would they feel about this modern city life?

Tears would come from each others eyes
As they would stop to realize
That our people are in great, great danger now
How would they feel? Would their smiles be content then cry?

Chorus

Cry for the gods, cry for the people
Cry for the lands that were taken away
And then yet you'll find Hawaii

Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono o' Hawaii
Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono o' Hawaii

Could you just imagine if they came back
And saw traffic lights & railroad tracks?
How would they feel about this modern city life?
Tears would come from each others eyes
As they would stop to realize
That our land is in great, great danger now

All the fighting that the king had done
To conquer all theses islands now there's condominiums
How would he feel if he saw Hawaii Nei?
How would he feel, would his smile be content then cry?

Chorus

Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono o' Hawaii
Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono o' Hawaii.............Pau

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Makaha Sons
• Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau
• 'Bruddah
• Iz
• Israel Kamakawiwi'ole
• Skippy Kamakawiwi'ole
• Moon Kaukahi
• Traditional Hawaiian Music
• Ukulele

[110069er]

wow! awesome job guys....kawiks Hawaii78.com

[sirduke58]

@110069er Eh people who are viewing this video check out Kawika Crowley's YouTube channel to find out some very interesting information about this powerful classic Hawaiian mele "Hawaii '78" Much mahalos for your contribution Kawika.

Aloha & Mahalo

Duke-Derek-Shawn aka Ke Kani Nahe

[olu143]

Awesome job guys! I wish I was there to feel the mana in the room! You three blend well! 5 stars each! Mahalo for sharing! =)

[sirduke58]

Much mahalos Bruddah Sam. You know you get open invitation for stop by any time for sample your talents. Kanikapila this Saturday? Check your email for the invitation my bruddah.

Aloha Always

Bruddah Duke

[slowhandeagle]

Awsome!!!

Great vocal! Great harmony! Great 8 strings 'uke playing! Great Lead Guitar!

[sirduke58]

Shuji-san!!! Mahalo much for your kind words. We had great fun doing this video....maybe next time you visit Hawaii we do this together!!!!

With Much Aloha

Duke

[wjc1952]

Do it justice? Are you kidding me. Dukie -- I think I going cry more now over this song than when Skippy sang it. This is such a powerful song and you three did honor to the song and the story it is telling. Auntie loves the snowman in the background while you buggahs steh wea shortz. No fair. We get about 8 inches of snow ontop da ka`a out in da driveway.

Love this song the way you did it. Love what Shawn and Derek added. The best!!!!

Me ke aloha pau`ole,

Wanda

[JesseTinsley]

Nice work on the uke, Braddah Duke! And the 12-string adds a nice texture to the whole song.

[Hookani]

Yeah, you no can stump Shawn with da pa'ani. He jus get em. I love playing music with these talented guys.

[sirduke58]

Mahalo for the "Awesome" comment. Saying you enjoyed it translates to awesome in the best way. Thank you again.

Mahalo & Aloha

Bruddahz Shawn, Derek & Duke

[sirduke58]

Mahalo much Chuck for the very kind words."Hawaii '78" is a very important song with deep meaning, that's why it's such an easy song to sing from the heart. Thank you again for your comment & please keep representing Hawaii with your & Debs music.

Mahalo & Aloha

Bruddahz Derek, Shawn & Duke

[sirduke58]

What really blows my mind about Shawn is that his pa'anis are right off the cuff. He found out he had a pa'ani when I called him out a split second before his solo. Isn't it amazing how he conjoured it up on the fly? And all within the parameters of being pono to the mele,that's why I'm always so in awe of Shawn.