Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī

Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī

King Kalākaua, author of the anthem's lyrics.

State anthem of Hawaiʻi

Lyrics King David Kalākaua, 1874
Music Captain Henri Berger
Adopted 1967

Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī is the current state song of the State of Hawaii. The words were written in 1874 by King David Kalākaua with music composed by Captain Henri Berger, then the king's royal bandmaster. Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī was one of the national anthems of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi and also was the National Anthem of the Republic of Hawaii , having replaced Liliuokalani's composition He Mele Lahui Hawaii. It was the adopted song of the Territory of Hawaiʻi before becoming the state symbol by an act of the Hawaiʻi State Legislature in 1967. The melody is reminiscent of God Save the Queen and the Prussian Hymne, Heil dir im Siegerkranz. Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī is commonly sung at sporting events in Hawaiʻi, immediately after the national anthem.

In the Hawaiian language, Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī means "Hawaiʻi's Own".

Lyrics

Hawaiian English
Hawaiʻi ponoʻī, Hawaiʻi's own true son,
Nānā i kou moʻī, Be loyal to your king,
Kalani aliʻi, Your country's liege and lord
Ke aliʻi. The chief.
   
Hawaiʻi ponoʻī, Hawaiʻi's own true sons,
Nānā i nā aliʻi, Look to your chiefs,
Nā pua muli kou, The children after you,
Nā pōkiʻi. The young.
   
Hawaiʻi ponoʻī, Hawaiʻi's own true sons,
E ka lāhui ē, People of loyal heart,
ʻO kāu hana nui The only duty lies
E ui ē. List and abide.
   
Hui: Chorus:
Makua lani ē, Father above us all,
Kamehameha ē, Kamehameha e,
Na kaua e pale, Who guarded in the war,
Me ka ihe. With his spear.

Resources

Preceded by
He Mele Lahui Hawaii		 National Anthem of the Kingdom of Hawaii
1876-1893 		Monarchy abolished