A playful song of love’s experience told in metaphors of Na Wai, the different waters. The cool clear water that descends rushing, who knows the course it takes. The delightful rippling water, lively in the throat, when the pleasure is done, who can follow it further. The swift water that thrills the heart, yet when it slows, who can care for this water. Of the different waters of the land, all delicious, “`O ka `oi no na`e ku`u wai `apo!” The best is the leaf-caught water!
| Nanea no au i ka wai aniani |
|
I enjoyed the clear water |
| Ha hu`ihu`i o ka `ehu kakahiaka |
Coolness in the dust of morning |
| Ke holo ko`ie`ie iho la |
When it descends rushing |
| Na wai e `ike i ka holo la |
Who can know the course it takes |
| |
Hui:
Na wai na `ano wai like `ole |
The waters, the different waters |
| Na wai kaulana o ka moku la |
The famous waters of the land |
| Na wai na `ano `ono like `ole |
The waters, all delicious |
| `O ka `oi no na`e ku`u wai `apo |
Yet best is the leaf-caught water |
| |
| Puni no au i ka wai `ale`ale |
I delighted in the rippling water |
| He `io`iole`a i ka pu`umomoni |
Lively in the throat |
| Ke pau a `anakoe i ka le`a la |
When the pleasure is complete |
| Na wai e `ike i ka makewai |
Who can follow it further |
| |
| Ho`a`o no au i ka wai ko mio |
I tried the swiftly flowing water |
| Konikoni lua loko a ka pu`uwai |
Which thrills the heart within |
| Ke `ulolohi i ke kula |
When it slows in the plains |
| Na wai e nana i keia wai |
Who can care for this water |
| |
| Ha`ina ka puana o na wai like`ole |
Tell the story of the different waters |
| Ho`a`o i ka `ono o na wai a pau |
I have tasted them all |
| Kena `ia e ka wai `apo wale no |
Satisfied only by the leaf-caught water |
| Pau ka ninau `ana o na `ano wai |
I ask nothing more of the waters |
