Cyril Pahinui

Hawaiian Kī Hōʻalu Slack Key Guitar Master

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8. Waikīkī Hula (Vocal)

https://cyrilpahinui.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/10/08-Waikīkī-Hula-Vocal.m4a

8. Waikīkī Hula (Isaac Keola)—vocal and 12-string guitar, in C Major “Atta’s C” Tuning (C-G-E-G-C-E), tuned down two half steps to sound in the key of B flat.

In the beginning of this song, Cyril again captures the feel of Gabby’s 1970 Gabby Band albums, playing it as an answer to the instrumental version played just before.

As Cyril says, “I was in my best vocal pitch when I sang this.”

Cyril recorded another vocal version of “Waikīkī Hula,” also in the C Major Tuning, on his 1998 album Ka Ho‘olina Mau (The Legacy Continues) (Poki Records). There, the Latin feel is even more pronounced. People sometimes forget how important Latin music has been in Hawai‘i, not only in the 1830s, but all the way into the 1970s and up to today.

I Waikīkī anuanu au
Ho‘i au i Kewalo pumehana au

Aia i Kalihi ka‘u aloha
I ka hale kula nui ‘o Kamehameha

Mea ‘ole ia loa i kahi mana‘o
Ma hope ho‘i au me ku‘u aloha

He loa ka ‘imina a ka huapala
‘Alo a‘e i ke kula o Kaiwi‘ula

‘Ōlelo kauoha na ku‘u aloha
I ka hola ‘eiwa hiki aku wau

Kakali au a hala ka manawa
Pau ka mana‘olana o ka hiki mai

Ke huli ho‘i nei ‘o Lelesia
Keiki o ka pua la‘i

Ha‘ina ‘ia mai ana ka puana
Ho‘i au i Kewalo, pumehana au

At Waikīkī I am cold
Returning to Kewalo I am warm

There at Kalihi is my love
At Kamehameha Schools

I don’t mind traveling the distance
To be with my love

A long time I searched for this sweetheart
Over the plains of Kaiwi‘ula

My love said be there
At nine ‘o clock

I waited long past the appointed hour
The thought came to me, she is not coming

Lelesia is returning
Child of the la‘i flower

Tell the refrain
I return to Kewalo and I am warm

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