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.
He Mele No Lili‘uokalani
Liner Notes
The accompanying booklet includes an introduction by Moon Kauakahi with lyrics for each song in both ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and English.
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.
"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.
