Kau Lana Na Pua

The Hawaiian language was long ago and long prior to the arrival of Capt. James Cook, (who was the first to use firearms against Hawaiians) was fully developed as a language and meant to and did communicate genius very well. The Hawaiians had developed among other things, the planets most sophisticated and advanced systems of ecologic balance, ocean farming and long range navigation. Their skills as navigators, were unrivaled until and only comparable to 20th century satellite navigation for its accuracy. However, non Hawaiians refused to learn the Hawaiian language for the most part. So, even as the speaking and teaching of the Hawaiian language were banned by law around the end of the 19th century, the Hawaiian language was still spoken and still used by the indigenous Hawaiians among themselves and to compose song lyrics with “the enemies” of the Hawaiian people being none the wiser as to the brewing rebellion which is very much and even more alive to this day.

While this mele (song), “Kau Lana na Pua,” was and still is a mele of open, in your face rebellion, it sounds and looks gentle and mild. Here are two versions of “Kau Lana na Pua” meaning, “We we do not agree, We will not sign, and We will not comply,” all done in song and dance. Only the Hawaiian Queen at the time, prevented an all out counterattack by the Hawaiian people and a large scale slaughter of the criminal newcomers who the Queen feared would again use firearms and (like Capt. Cook), lose against the Hawaiian people. The Hawaiians were not cannibals but could be persuaded on special occasions. Cook, by gunning down and murdering Hawaiians, presented such a special occasion and so was carved into small pieces and distributed as kau kau (food) at a series of luaus (meals) held in his honor. Remorseful in the end, it took a couple of weeks for the Hawaiians to collect together a barrel of Cook’s bones and return them peacefully to his crew.

Here is a copy of the original 1893 version of Kau Lana na Pua with translated lyrics. It deals with the forced “annexation” at gun point of the Hawaiian Islands to the United States of America. The Red, White and Blue flag seen repeatedly throughout and resembling the British flag is actually the Royal Hawaiian Flag:

Here is a popular modern version of “Kau Lana na Pua,” which on several occasions throughout, proudly displays the Royal Hawaiian Flag.

Mahalo and Aloha,

Dennis Clarke and Chantell Kawa’awau

Each day I shave and shower, take dog biscuits, cat food, and bird seed, mount my power chair and head out to visit the birds, horses, cats, dogs, goats, geese and swine. But, at my age and in my current condition, Chantell is who I actually wake up to see.