Pu’uanahulu for Ukulele

This classic Hawaiian song celebrates the beautiful ranching area of Puʻuanahulu on Hawaiʻi Island. Pu’uanahulu is located in the Napu’u area north of Kona. Moreover, it is near a bird sanctuary called Pu’u Wa’awa’a ‘Ohi’a trail, a good place to see the native ‘amakihi bird. The ‘amakihi has bright yellow feathers and so we might imagine that it is the bird mentioned in the lyrics of Pu’uanahulu: “E na manu ‘o ‘o hulu melemele” (Birds of yellow feathers). Here are the full lyrics, written by David Alapai:

(Hawaiian)

Nani wale Pu‘uanahulu i ka ‘iu ‘iu
‘Aina pali kualana pu‘u kinikini

Lu ‘ia mai lu ‘ia mai ko ‘oukou aloha
E na manu ‘o ‘o hulu melemele

Ua helu ‘ia na pu ‘u o Anahulu

Kapa ‘ia ka inoa Pu‘uanahulu

Ha‘ina ‘ia mai ana ka puana
Kaulana kou inoa Pu‘uanahulu

(English)

Beautiful Pu‘uanahulu in its lofty realm
A land of cliffs famous for its many hills

Offer, give your love
Oh you ‘o ‘o birds with yellow feathers

The hills of Anahulu have been counted
And the name Pu‘uanahulu is given

Tell the theme of my song
Famous is your name Pu‘uanahulu

Pu’uanahulu by Gabby Pahinui

Want to hear what the melody sounds like when sung? Listen to an excellent rendition by the Gabby Pahinui Band:

Pu’uanahulu for High G Ukulele

Jeff Peterson’s arrangement of this classic Hawaiian song is for re-entrant or high-G tuning on ʻukulele. Jeff captures the beauty of the melody while adding that charming sound only the ‘ukulele can offer.

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You can find lessons for this and many other Hawaiian songs with tablature and sheet music in the Ukulele Corner Academy. Join Ukulele Corner today!