3. Pauoa Ka Liko Ka Lehua (attributed to Emma Bush)—vocal and 12-string guitar in D Major 6/9 “Cyril’s D” Tuning (D-A-D-F#-B-E). In this version, Cyril includes a stylistic, nahenahe rendition of four verses.
Closely associated with the early radio and nightclub entertainer Emma Bush, this local standard refers to the bud of a lehua blossom growing in Nu‘uanu Valley, in Pauoa, a treasured neighborhood near downtown Honolulu. It is thought that Sam Kanahele or Charles W. Booth may have composed this song and given it to Emma.
As is often the case, hidden within this light-hearted mele are symbols of the political and emotional turmoil created by events leading up to the unlawful overthrow of the Hawaiian Nation. As reassurance and a sign of hope, on October 11, 1894, Queen Lili‘uokalani gave a piece of her own land in Pauoa Valley on ‘Auwaiolimu Street to her people as a garden, and it was announced in Hawaiian newspapers that the planting of a garden would be done according to ancient ceremonies. The garden, named Uluhaimalama, carries the symbolic meaning, “As the plants grow up out of the dark earth into the light, so shall light come to the nation.” Throughout the day, sacred trees were planted, beginning with the ‘ōhi‘a, symbolic of Her Majesty because the gods loved the lehua flowers. Other trees and flowers were also planted, intoned with chants calling on spiritual powers and with kupuna affirming the Hawaiians’ connection to their ‘āina and dedication to their beloved Queen.
Comparing a special woman to the treasured lehua of Pauoa, the song tells the story of a kolohe (mischievous) young woman who attracts the attention of her admirer as she walks along, flirtatiously fluttering her skirt and scalloped petticoats. It is no surprise that it enjoys wide circulation among hula dancers. It is also popular with slack-key guitarists for its flowing melody and opportunities for soloing between verses. Gabby introduced his version, “Pauoa Liko Ka Lehua,” in 1962 on the classic Music of Old Hawaii (Hula 506), when he was in the legendary Sons of Hawai‘i group with Eddie Kamae.
“Pauoa Liko Ka Lehua” also served for many years as a signature song for “The Slack-key Ambassador,” Raymond Kane (1925-2008), as well as for Cyril’s brother Martin Pahinui (1951-2017).
Aia i Pauoa ka liko ka lehua
Ka ‘i‘ini pau ‘ole a ka makemake
Makemake nō wau lā e ‘ike lihi
I ka lawe ha‘aheo a ke kīkala
Nihoniho mai nei ko pelekoki
I ka iho ‘ākau ho‘i i ka hema
Ha‘ina ‘ia mai ana ka puana
Aia i Pauoa ka liko lehua
There at Pauoa is the lehua bud
My endless yearning and desire
I’d like to catch even a glimpse
Of her figure strutting about
Your petticoat is scalloped
Swaying to the right and then to the left
Tell the refrain
There at Pauoa is the lehua bud