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.Download Album Now Playing He Mele No Lili‘uokalani Previous Play / Pause Next 00:00 He Mele No Lili‘uokalani Ka Hano O Hanakeoki Ka Wai ‘Apo Lani featuring Ra‘iātea Helm Puna Paia ‘A‘ala Paoakalani Nani Nā Pua Ko‘olau featuring Aaron Mahi ‘Onipa‘a Ka ‘Ōiwi Nani featuring Bobby Ingano on steel Nohea I Mu‘olaulani featuring Robert Cazimero Ka Wai Māpuna Sanoe Featuring Hoʻokena Mahalo Wau ‘O Ka Nani Makalapua Featuring Hoʻokena & Bobby Ingano on Steel Liko Pua Lehua Featuring Bobby Ingano on steel Ku‘u Pua I Paoakalani Featuring Marlene Sai Ninipo Ho‘onipo Wailua Alo Lahilahi Featuring Ho‘okena Ke Aloha O Ka Haku Featuring Del Beazley Liner Notes The accompanying booklet includes an introduction by Moon Kauakahi with lyrics for each song in both ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and English. download liner notes 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 Timeline Genealogy Queen's Literature Back To Home