I composed this mele and entered it for consideration as the theme song of the 30th annual Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards. Having it selected for that honor was a thrill. My dear friend and colleague Kainani Kahaunaele recorded the vocals, and later redid them when the song was included on the 2010 release “Nā Haku Mele o Hawai‘i”. The attached recording is her original recording that was selected by the Academy.

The stars depicted in this mele are used to represent Hawaiian entertainers, not because of the use of the term “star” to describe someone in English, but because their characteristics are similar to entertainers who are steadfast in their support of Hawaiian music, who travel near and far to share there talents, and sometimes are up all hours of the night while performing and recording.

Nā Hōkū Pio ‘Ole
ʻAkahi hoʻi a ʻike kuʻu maka My eyes have just now truly seen
Nā kini makamaka ‘imo i ka lani The familiar multitudes, twinkling in the heavens
ʻAno lani wale nā hōkū e kau ana The stars are truly majestic as they appear
Kau hanohano a puni ke ao nei Raised in honor around the word
HUI
E Hōkūpaʻa, e ʻonipaʻa ē North Star, remain steadfast
E Hōkūloa, hoʻokipa kaiao Morning Star, greeter of the dawn
E Hōkūhele, kaha i ka lipo Shooting Star, streak across the darkness
Nā hōkū pio ʻole o ka lewa ē The never-extinguished stars of the heavens
ʻĀlohilohi nā momi o ka pō The pearls of the night sparkle
Kohu kapa kuiki lā e kauhola nei Like a quilt unfolding before me
Kau kuʻu maka i ka nui ʻōnaeao My eyes behold the entire universe
Nā hiʻona kamahaʻo e pūlama ai The wondrous features to be cherished

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