“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