Kumu Hina (Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu)

Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu also known as Kumu Hina is a kanaka maoli teacher, cultural practitioner and community leader. She was born in the Nuuanu district of Oʻahu and educated at Kamehameha Schools and the University of Hawaiʻi. She was a founding member of, and outreach specialist for, Kulia Na Mamo, a community organization established to improve the quality of life for māhūwahine (transgender women). She is currently the cultural director at Hālau Lōkahi, a public charter school that uses Native Hawaiian culture, history and education as tools for developing and empowering the next generation of warrior scholars. She and her students have been invited to participate in numerous events in Hawaiʻi and abroad, including trips to Tahiti, Autearoa and Japan. Hina is also a leader in many community affairs and civic activities, including serving as chair of the O‘ahu Island Burial Council, which oversees the management of Native Hawaiian burial sites and ancestral remains. Last year, Hina became one of the first Native Hawaiians to actively support marriage equality in Hawaiʻi through a prominent Star-Advertiser editorial entitled, “Hawaiian Values Differ from Western Traditions.” She can currently be seen in an award-winning documentary about her life, Kumu Hina, which is screening at film festivals around the globe.

This Matriarch Monday we honor the work of Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu (Kumu Hina) by sharing her powerful and inspiring Mele Kū Ha‘aheo e Ku‘u Hawai‘i 

"The mana of mele (chants, songs) is immeasurable. As our lāhui strives to empower ourselves, celebrate our patriots, and connect more strongly with one another around shared aloha āina goals, we do so with the mana of mele. With the support and blessing of the haku mele (composer) of Mele Ku Haaheo e Kuu Hawaii, Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, we share this mele with ka poʻe i aloha i ka ʻāina (patriots, people who aloha our ʻāina). Her hope is that it might strengthen, connect, and inspire us as ka poʻe i aloha i ka ʻāina." -kamakakoi.com

Mele Kū Ha‘aheo e Ku‘u Hawai‘i Na Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu

The earth of Haumea rumbles and shakes
The highest heavens shudder up above
The sea of Hawai’i surges in turmoil
Alas! Woeful indeed are the heartless foreigners

Chorus:

Stand tall my Hawai’i
Band of warriors of my land
The new dawn for our people of Hawai’i is upon us
For my nation I give my all so that our legacy lives on

Where are you soldiers of Keawe
Along with those of Maui and O’ahu
Unite, join together with those of Kaua’i
Marching alongside the descendants of Ni’ihau

Move forward young ones and drink of the bitter waters
Be fearless, steadfast for there is no turning back
Let’s press onward straight on the path of victory
Alas! Woeful are the heartless foreigners!

Be honored always oh beloved descendants of the land
Let us wear the honored ‘a’ali’i of our beloved land
Paddle on in our pursuit of civil justice
Until our dignity and independence is restored

Kaiko’o ka moana kā i lana nei Hawai’i
Nāueue a hālulu ka honua a Haumea
Nākulukulu e ka lani ki’eki’e kau mai i luna
Auē ke aloha ‘ole a ka malihini

Hooho:

Kū ha’aheo e ku’u Hawai’i
Māmakakaua o ku’u ‘āina
‘O ke ehu kakahiaka o nā ‘ōiwi o Hawai’i nei
No ku’u lahui e hā’awi pau a i ola mau

Auhea wale ‘oukou pū’ali koa o Keawe
Me ko Kamalālāwalu la me Kākuhihewa
Alu mai pualu mai me ko Manokalanipō
Ka’i mai ana me nā kama a Kahelelani

E nāue imua e nā poki’i a e inu wai ‘awa’awa
E wiwo’ole a ho’okūpa’a ‘a’ohe hope e ho’i mai ai
A na’i wale nō kākou kaukoe mau i ke ala
Auē ke aloha ‘ole a ka malihini

E lei mau i lei mau kākou e nā mamo aloha
I lei wehi ‘a’ali’i wehi nani o ku’u ‘āina
Hoe a mau hoe a mau no ka pono sivila
A ho’iho’i hou ‘ia mai ke kū’oko’a

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