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Queen’s Mele

Original document in the Queen's hand of "Aloha 'Oe," composed in Maunawili in 1878. Photo courtesy of the Hawai'i State Archives.

A Natural Musician

‘To compose,’ she once said, ‘was as natural to me as to breathe.’

The Queen was an accomplished poet and musician. She and her siblings were known as "Nā Lani ʻEhā," or "The Royal Four" or "The Heavenly Four." Together, they wrote many of Hawaiʻi's most timeless and treasured musical works.

Many of the Queen's compositions were love songs in the tradition of mele ho‘oipoipo, full of nature metaphors. She also wrote about the issues of her day, and her works have endured as expressions of Hawaiian identity. Despite being immersed in the political jockeying that would culminate in her overthrow in 1893, she remained faithful to her musical interests.


Liliʻuokalani distinguished herself by the sheer number of works she produced, her ability to notate her songs, and her attention to preserving and publishing them.

“These songs are to be heard amongst our people to the present day,” she said.

This collection of songs is intended to do just that: to bring the Queen’s music to life, to make it available and accessible to as wide an audience as possible, and perpetuate her legacy.


Hear and enjoy the music, by and for Queen Liliʻuokalani.


Photo: Queen Lili‘uokalani's piano and crown flag. Courtesy of Hawai‘i State Archives.

Listen

E Lei Ho‘i, E Lili‘ulani Ē

This collection of songs brings the Queen’s music to life, so that it may “be heard amongst our people to the present day” and enjoyed by all for generations to come.

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He Mele No Lili‘uokalani

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Liner Notes

The accompanying booklet includes an introduction by Moon Kauakahi with lyrics for each song in both ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and English.

The making of E Lei Ho‘i, E Lili‘ulani Ē

Special Thanks

Lili‘uoklani Trust is honored to recognize these artists for their contributions to this project.

MOON KAUAKAHI

Project director, arranger, vocals, ‘ukulele, guitar

ERIC LEE

Assistant project director, vocals, bass

MARLENE SAI

Guest artist

ROBERT CAZIMERO

Guest artist

RA’IATEA HELM

Guest artist

AARON MAHI

Guest artist

DEL BEAZLEY

Guest artist

HORACE DUDOIT

Guest artist

CHRIS KAMAKA

Guest artist

GLEN SMITH

Guest artist

DAVID KAUAHIKAUA

Orchestration and recording engineer

BOBBY INGANO

Guest artist

CHINKY MĀHOE

Guest artist

MILAN BERTOSA

Mixing and mastering engineer

Additional Resources

The Queen's Songbook

The Queen’s Songbook is a treasury of 55 of Liliʻuokalani’s compositions, and includes an essay on the moʻi wahine and her music, historical commentary, translations, chronologies and photographs.  This ambitious work took 25 years to complete and is the product of Hui Hānai (an auxiliary organization of LT) volunteers who contributed extensively of their time and knowledge while employed full-time in other professions.

It is available for purchase from Native Books and the University of Hawaiʻi Press.

Music from the Liliʻuokalani Manuscript Collection

This online exhibition from the Hawaiʻi State Archives makes available to the public a digitized collection of the Queen's writings on music. On digital display is He Mele Buke Hawaii (A Book of Hawaiian Songs) which were "composed, arranged, and translated by Liliuokalani." This extraordinary document contains works in 'Ōlelo Hawaiʻi side by side with their English translations, and includes many of her most iconic compositions. Materials are available to download in PDF format.

View and download the music collections

"How the Music of Hawaiʻi's Last Ruler Guided the Island's People Through Crisis"

The Smithsonian Magazine highlights the Queen's talents and provides a summary overview of how her music impacted the people of Hawai'i.

Read the Article