Dedicated to Laka, the Goddess of forest growth, creator of Hula, and sometimes known as the Goddess of Love, this song is performed as the Mo’o (Lizard guardian) playfully “dances” in the waterfall.
Laka is a very important Goddess in Hawaiian mythology and is often associated with Pele (the volcano Goddess) and her sisters. Laka is revered by hula practitioners and many Hula chants and dances are dedicated to her.
Below are the lyrics to the song, as well as the translation into English.
Laka: The Forest Dweller
O laka kaulana puoholani
Eo mai oe e laka i ka nahele
‘O wao ka muo e kali nei
E hanai ai a hewa ka waha
Ua hele au me ‘oe e laka e
O Le’a a Loa ke kama nahele
I ke kuahiwi ka hoa o ka wao
I ke kani o loko nei au e
E laka e, e laka e
Eo mai ‘oe i a’u e
E laka e, e laka e
E li e li ka u mai e
E hou’lu mai ka honua mai
Ulu ka ohi’a lau noka ‘ie ‘ie
O Laka kuahu wahine a Lono
O lono e hui kalani hui honua
E laka e, e laka e
Eo mai ‘oe i a’u e
E laka e, e laka e
E li e li ka u mai e
E laka e, e laka e
Eo mai ‘oe i a’u e
E laka e, e laka e, laka e
English:
O, Laka, famed one, the soul awakener
We call upon We call upon you, o dweller of the forest
It is a bud waiting for nourishment
To partake of all there is
I stand at the forest’s edge in anticipation
To see you, o dweller in the mists
That is my burning desire
That your spirit inspires my soul
There roamed I , too, with Laka
Of Lea and Loa, a wilderness child
On ridge in forest boon companion she
To the heart that throbbed in me
To bloom forth from Mother Earth
Like the Ohia that grows & the ‘Ie ‘ie leaf
O goddess Laka of the altar,
Sister of Lono
Lono who joins both heaven and earth
O Laka, O Laka
Hark my call
You approach, it is well
You possess me, I am blessed
It is a bud
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