State Song Of Hawaii

“Hawai’i Pono’i” Is The State Song Of Hawaii. The Lyrics to “Hawaii Ponoi” (Hawaii’s Own) were written by King David Kalakaua in 1874. The music was written by Kalakaua’s bandmaster, Henri Berger. State Song Of Hawaii Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī was one of the national anthems of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi and also was the National Anthem of the Republic of Hawaiʻi.

The Hawaii State Song was arranged by Captain Henry Berger, Bandmaster of the Royal Hawaiian Band, and was based on the Prussian hymn “Heil Dir im Siegerkranz”. State Song Of Hawaii served as the national anthem of the Kingdom and the Territory of Hawaii from 1876 to 1893, until the overthrow of the royalty and the annexation of Hawai`i by the United States government. In 1967, the legislature declared it as the official Hawaii State Song.

According to Emerson Smith, “Hawai’i Pono’i” originated as another version of “God Save the King” with Hawaiian verses by King Kala-kaua but was transmitted into a great anthem through the artistry of Captain Henry Berger. In the Hawaiian language, Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī means “Hawaiʻi’s Own”.

“Hawai’i Pono’i”

Hawai’i Pono’i

Hawai’i pono’i

Nana i kou Mo’i

Ka Lani Ali’i

Ke Ali’i

Chorus

Makua Lani e

Kamehameha E

Na kaua e pale

Me ke ihe

Hawai’i pono’i

Nana i na Ali’i

Na pua muli kou

Na poki’i

Chorus

Hawai’i pono’i

E ka Lahui e

‘O kau hana nui

E u’i e

Chorus

Translation

Hawai’i’s own

Look to your King

The Royal Chief

The Chief

Chorus

Royal Father

Kamehameha

We shall defend

With spears

Hawai’i’s own

Look to your Chiefs

The children after you

The young

Hawai’i’s own

O Nation

Your great duty

Strive