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 |