Ka Uluwehi O Ke Kai for Fingerstyle Ukulele

In this video, Jeff plays his arrangement of Ka Uluwehi O Ke Kai for fingerstyle ukulele, a Hawaiian song written by Edith Kanaka’ole. This piece is often celebrated by Hula dancers and its title translates as “The Bounties of the Sea.”

Lyrics (Hawaiian)

He ho’oheno kē ‘ike aku
Ke kai moana nui lā
Nui ke aloha e hi’ipoi nei
Me ke ‘ala o ka līpoa
He līpoa i pae i ke one
Ke one hinuhinu lā
Wela i ka lā kē hehi a’e
Mai mana’o he pono kēia
Ho’okohukohu e ka limu kohu
Ke kau i luna ō nā moku la
‘O ia moku ‘ula la e hō
‘Oni ana i ‘ōi ‘ane’i
Ha’ina mai ka puana
Ka līpoa me ka limu kohu
Hoapili ‘oe me ka pāhe’e
‘Anoni me ka līpalu

Lyrics (English)

Such a delight to see
The great big ocean
So familiar and very cherished
With its fragrance of the lîpoa

It is lîpoa which washed ashore
Onto the shiny white sand
Hot from the heating sun as you step on it
Don’t think that this is fun

How enticing is the display of limu kohu
Atop the rocks
Enticing one to pick them
As they sway to and fro

Let the story be told
Of the lîpoa and the limu kohu
Close companions of the pâhe`e
Intermingled with the lîpalu

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This is just one of many Hawaiian songs available to members of Ukulele Corner Academy. At the Academy we have lessons, sheet music with TAB, performances, community Forums, online lessons with Jeff, and more. Find out more and Join Ukulele Corner Academy today!