Hawaiian War Chant

Hawaiian War Chant was an American popular song whose original melody and lyrics were written sometime in the 1860s by Prince Leleiohoku. The original title of the song was "Kaua I Ka Huahua`i" or "We Two in the Spray." It was not written as a chant, and the Hawaiian lyrics describe a clandestine meeting between two lovers, not a battle. The English title therefore has nothing to do with the song as it was originally written and performed in Hawaii.

The Hawaiian lyrics are unusual because they are often written with the letter "T" appearing where a "K" would be expected. However Hawaiians on the island of Niihau still speak Hawaiian with a sound that is closer to a "T" than to a "K."

English lyrics by Ralph Freed were written in 1936 and the melody changed somewhat at that time by Johnny Noble.

The song was later featured in the 1942 film "Ship Ahoy" starring Eleanor Powell, Red Skelton and the Tommy Dorsey Band.

A huge success and a crowd favorite in Hawaiian resorts for many years. Singer Hilo Hattie used it extensively in her own shows, singing it at three different speeds with the claim that Leleiohoku wrote it about two palace lovers who met in secret (The identity of the people Leleiohoku may have been writing about -- if not himself -- is not currently known).

She also credited comedy bandleader Spike Jones for popularizing an uptempo comedic version of the song. Jones' 1946 Victor recording, with Carl Grayson on vocal, reached number eight on the charts, according to Joel Whitburn.

Since 1963, the Hawaiian War Chant has served as the finale in the Enchanted Tiki Room attraction at Disneyland.

In 1957, Bill Haley & His Comets recorded the comedic "Me Rock-a-Hula" which was based upon the "Hawaiian War Chant" melody.

From early 1960's, Japanese popular vaudevillian Shinji Maki makes his social satire performance "Yan-na-chatta-bushi" with an ukulele upon this melody.

In the 1994 Disney animated film "The Lion King", the character Timon (voiced by Nathan Lane) performs this song with changed lyrics.

The University of Hawai`i Rainbow Marching Band plays the Hawaiian War Chant at all Pre Game shows at Aloha Stadium. It is the showcase song for the baton twirler.

The Michigan Marching Band currently plays this song, following the song "Temptation", as part of their traditional post game events because "you can't have one without the other".

Since 2003, "Weird Al" Yankovic included a segment from the song into his "Yoda Chant", a chant he performs in the middle of the song "Yoda" (parody of "Lola" by The Kinks) during concerts.

This song is featured in the 2007 major motion picture "Surf's Up" performed by Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys.

From 1985 to present the Adventurers Club of Downtown Disney's Pleasure Island, have played this song. The maid comes out in the library in an orange hula skirt and sings the song.

Hawaiian lyrics

*Tahuwai la a tahuwai wai la
*Ehu hene la a pili koo lua la
*Pututui lu a ite toe la
*Hanu lipo ita paalai

*Au we ta huala
*Au we ta huala

*Tahuwai la a tahuwai wai la
*Ehu hene la a pili koo lua la
*Pututui lu a ite toe la
*Hanu lipo ita paalai

*Au we ta huala
*Au we ta huala

Further reading

Young, Jordan R. (2005). "Spike Jones Off the Record: The Man Who Murdered Music." Albany: BearManor Media ISBN 1-59393-012-7 3rd edition.