The following chants were written by the Edith Kanaka`ole Foundation unless otherwise noted. These chants are to be used only on Kaho`olawe and are kapu anywhere else. They are sacred to the Hawaiian culture and the ceremony of Kanaloa. Cultural Protocol #1: Protocol for Approaching Kaho`olawe Island Purpose: The following protocol is perscribed for the purpose of requesting permission to pae onto Kanaloa-Kaho`olawe. Frequency: To be done each time a party approaches Kaho`olawe with the intent to land by any means of transport. Procedure: A trained cultural practitioner or a member of the arriving party will call out for permission to land by chanting the Mele Komo. The Haku`ili, Na`alapa or delegated representative will grant permission by responding with the Mele Kahea. Failure to request permission or to land before permission is granted will be considered a breach of protocol. The receiving individual(s) on land is bound by obligations of hospitality to grant permission to the visitors to land if the Mele Komo is delivered properly. A landing rejection is possible. Mele Komo He haki nu`anu`a nei kai `o `awa ana i uka Pehea e hiki aku ai `O ka leo Mai pa`a i ka leo Request to Enter Indeed a rough and crashing sea echoing into the uplands How is it that the one lands It is the voice Please don't hold back the voice. Mele Kahea `Ane hiki mai, `ane hiki mai `oukou lehua lanalana o Kanaloa E pae, e pae Eia la ka leo... `Ae Welcoming Chant You are almost here, almost here you brave ones so bouyant on the sea of Kanaloa Land, land Here is the voice... Yes Cultural Protocol #2: Protocol for Departure from Kaho`olawe Island Purpose: The following protocol is perscribed for the purpose of requesting departure from Kaho`olawe each time a party prepares to depart. Participants: Departing Individual(s) Haku`ili, Na`alapa or delegated representative that will remain on island. Procedure: A trained cultural practitioner or delegated representative of the departing group will request leave by means of the Noi `A`ama. The Haku`ili, Na`alapa or delegated representative will release the requesting individual(s) by responding with the Mele Ho`oku`u. The protocol is complete at the conclusion of the Mele Ho`oku`u. Ke Noi `A`ama `O `Awe-kuhi o kai uli kuhikau, kuhikau E homai i `a`ama i `a`ama aha i `a`ama `ia au Request for Release Pointing tentacle of the deep sea direct, direct Grant also an `a`ama and `a`ama for what releasing me from my obligation as your guest. Mele Ho`oku`u Ku `oe a hele, noho au o hele `oe, o hele `oe a, ua hele la Chant of Release Rise up and take leave, I will remain go, go see, you have already left. E Ala E: The Sun Rise Ceremony, is chanted early in the morning to aid the sun in its efforts to start a new day. E ala e, ka lä i ka hikina I ka moana, ka moana hohonu Pi`i i ka lewa, ka lewa nu`u I ka hikina, aia a ka lä, e ala e! -/- Rise up the sun is in the east In the ocean, the deep ocean Climbs to the sky, the great height of the sky In the east, there is the sun, rise up! E Hö mai ka `ike, has circulated throughout the island and is used frequently during Makahiki. E hö mai ka `ike, mai luna mai e O nä mea huna no`eau o nä mele e E hö mai, e hö mai, e hä mai e. -/- Grant me knowledge from above Of the elusive words of wisdom within the chants Grant me, grant me, grant me. Nä `Aumäkua, is a traditional chant of which the first ten lines are original. The rest of the chant was written by the Edith Kanaka`ole Foundation and adjusted to contemporary times. This chant is often used as a pule or pray at the opening or start of a ceremony. Nä `aumäkua mai ka lä hiki a ka lä kau Mai ka ho`oku`i a ka halawai Nä `aumähua iä ka hina kua, iä ka hina alo Iä ka`a `äkau i ka lani `O kïhä i ka lani `Owë i ka lani Nünulu i ka lani Käholo i ka lani Eia ka pulapula a `oukou, `o _______ E mälama `oukou ia`u (iä mäkou) E ulu i ka lani E ulu i ka honua E ulu i ka pae `äina o Hawai`i E hö mai ka `ike E hö mai ka ikaika E hö mai ka akamai E hö mai ka maopopo pono E hö mai ka `ikepäpälua E hö mai ka mana. -/- Guardians spirits from the rise to the setting sun From the zenith to the horizon Guardians spirits to my back, to my front To those in the northern position of the heavens Whispering in the heavens Murmuring in the heavens Reverberating in the heavens Running across the heavens Here is your offspring, ________ Take care of me (us) Allow growth in the heavens Allow growth upon the earth Allow growth upon the islands of Hawai`i Grant us the knowledge Grant us the strength Grant us the intelligence Grant us the understanding Grant us the foresight Empower us.

Kaho`olawe
Home Page