Hawaii Aloha

Hawai‘i Aloha, also called Ku‘u One Hanau, is a revered anthem of the native Hawaiian people and Hawai‘i residents alike. Written by Lorenzo Lyons, a Christian minister who died in 1886, Hawai‘i Aloha was considered by the Hawai‘i State Legislature in 1967 and by the Hawai‘i State Constitutional Convention in 1978 to become the official state song. Hawai‘i Pono‘ī, written by King David Kalākaua and composed by Royal Hawaiian Band Master Henri Berger, was chosen instead.

Hawai‘i Aloha is typically sung in both small and large, formal and informal gatherings in Hawai‘i while standing in a circle with joined hands. It is considered a vital feature at the inauguration of the Governor of Hawai‘i, who is called Ke Kia‘aina, and the opening sessions of the Hawai‘i State House of Representatives and Hawai‘i State Senate. Traditionally, the last verse and chorus is sung with all hands raised above heads. The act of raising hands is most especially important to advocates of the Hawaiian sovereignty movement.

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listen to an excerpt: (The Rose Ensemble) http://www.roseensemble.org/recordings/hawaii.html