Ma ke alahele `o Iesû
On the road, Jesus

 

 I hâlâwai aku ai
Met

 

Me ke kanaka `ôpio hanohano
With the dignified young man

 

Kaulana i ka waiwai
Famous for (his) wealth

 

Pane mai e ka `ôpio:
The youth asked:

 

"E ku`u Haku maika`i
"My good Lord

 

He aha ho`i ka`u e hana aku ai
What must I do

 

I loa'a e ke ola mau?"
To be given eternal life?"

Hui: Chorus

"`E hâ`awi, e hâ`awi lilo
"Give, give away (all) entirely

Huli a hahai mai ia`u
Turn and follow me

I loa`a e ke ola mau iâ `oe"
To obtain eternal life for you

Minamina e ka `ôpio
The youth was sorrowful

I kona mau waiwai
Of (losing) his wealth

I ke ku`ai a hâ`awi lilo aku
Of selling and giving it all away

I ka po`e nele a hune
To the needy and poor people

Huli a`e `o Iesû lâ
Turning then, Jesus

Pane aku i ka `ôpio:
Replied to the youth:

"`A`ole a`e hiki ke kanaka waiwai
Unable to rise, the young rich man,

I ke Aupuni o ka Lani"
To the Kingdom of Heaven

Click here for the Biblical text that is referred to in the song: Matthew 19:16 - 24.

Winner of the 2000 Nâ Hôkû Hanohano Award (Hawaiian Grammy) for Religious Album of the Year, this lovely religious album features slack key master George Kahumoku on vocals and 12 string guitar, joined by Daniel Ho on `ukulele and nylon string guitar.

>> Click here for a clip by George Kahumoku and Daniel Ho, courtesy of The Honolulu Advertiser. 

>> Click here for another clip, courtesy of Olomana.

>> Research by Keola Donaghy

"This song refers to the Biblical verse where Jesus says it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich person to get into the kingdom of heaven. 

The background of this piece is quite mysterious. Apparently, it originates from the tiny island of Ni`ihau, where only native Hawaiians may travel. 

George's Aunty Sarah Pule recalls singing it in Kohala many years ago, but with different words from the current version. She believes that the song has been around since the 1800's. 

The grandfather of renowned Hawaiian entertainer Moe Keale may be the original composer. 

One version of this hymn was written by John Almeida for the Mormon Church in 1915. He changed it for the church because it was felt to be too much like a hula song. 

In the early seventies, the group Eddie Kamae and the Sons of Hawai`i, with Moe Keale singing the vocals, popularized this song."