Lyrics by Henry Machado, Sr.
Music by Helena Kalokuokamaile Salazar
In his sweet Hawaiian style, “Papa” Henry wrote this courting song for my mother. Here the commitment of patience in love is his message. He says, “I am looking at your alluring beautiful rolling eyes. They tease and irritate me, but I can be patient. Although you have proud ways, my desire is to love you. There is gentleness in your brown eyes of love. “Malama i ke aloha a kaua,” let us care for this love. “Hiki ia`u e ho`omanawanui,” I can be patient with you!
| Ke `ike nei au i kou maka onaona |
|
I am looking at your alluring eyes |
| Maka nani ke `oloka`a nei |
Soft and beautiful rolling eyes |
| Maka ho`ohene ho`onaukiuki |
Eyes that tease and irritate |
| Hiki ia`u e ho`omanawanui |
I can be patient with you |
| |
| I loko o kou `ano ki`eki`e |
In spite of your proud ways |
| Ho`onipo ana la ia `oe |
My mind is made up to court you |
| Mai ho`ole i ku`u makemake |
Don’t deny me of what I want |
| `I`ini au e aloha ia `oe |
My desire is to love you |
| |
| Kilohi lani au i kou maka onaona |
I looked up into your lovely eyes |
| Ka nahenahe a me akahai |
There’s softness and gentleness |
| Maka uliuli o ke aloha |
In your brown eyes of love |
| Malama i ke aloha a kaua |
Keep that love of ours |
| |
| Ha`ina `ia mai ana ka puana |
My song is now ended |
| Maka nani ke `oloka`a nei |
Soft and beautiful rolling eyes |
| Maka ho`ohene ho`onaukiuki |
Eyes that tease and irritate |
| Hiki ia`u e ho`omanawanui |
I can be patient with you |
