Kawika - Live hula song performed by Malu at Tiki's Grill & Bar in Waikiki

To see nightly live music calendar www.Tikisgrill.com


"A song hailing King Kalakaua's seven-month tour around the world in 1881. David Kalakaua was the first reigning monarch of any country to make such a journey. Kawika, (Hawaiian for "David") was originally a chant later put to music, and is a "mele inoa," a name song written to honor the King."

Eia no Kawika ehe
Ka heke a'o na pua ehe.

Ka uwila ma ka hikina ehe
Malamalama Hawai'i ehe.

Ku'i ka lono i Pelekane ehe
Ho'olohe ke kuini o Palani ehe.

Na wai e ka pua i luna ehe
'O Kapa'akea no ka makua ehe.

Ha'ina 'ia mai ka puana ehe
Ka lani Kawika he inoa ehe.

This is David
The greatest of all flowers

(He is) the lightning in the east
That brightens Hawaiʻi|

News reached England
Also heard by the French queen

Who is this flower of high rank?
Kapaʻakea is his father

Tell the refrain
King David, is his name

Source: King's Hawaiian Melodies Copyright 1930, 43 - This mele inoa for King David Kalākaua (1836-1891) relates how he appealed to England and France for financial aid for Hawaiʻi. He was refused. The people of Hawaiʻi are called flowers. Caesar Kapaʻakea, a great grandson of Chief Kameʻeiamoku was the father of King Kalākaua and High Chiefess, Analea Keohokalole, a counselor to King Kamehameha III, was his mother. Kalākaua ruled from 1874-1891. The sign of the Kalākaua dynasty was the noonday sun symbolized by a flaming torch at midday - http://www.huapala.org/Kaw/Kawika.html

Kalākaua I, born David Laʻamea Kamanakapuʻu Mahinulani Nalaiaehuokalani Lumialani Kalākaua and sometimes called The Merrie Monarch (16 November 1836 – 20 January 1891), was the last reigning king of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi. He served in office from 12 February 1874 until his death at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco, California, on 20 January 1891.

To Learn more from Amy Ku‘uleialoha Stillman:

Aloha! What a great post. I learned alot in a short time and I caused me to look a little deeper. I found video music links for the groups you mentioned above:
l. Kalama Quartette -
2. Andy Cummings & His Hawaiian Serenaders -
3. Johnny Pineapple and His Native Islanders (Bluebird B-11027), 1940 - (Could not find)
4. Kai Davis -
5. Palani Vaughan- (Could not find)
6. The Sunday Manoa’s 1971
And one more for fun