2004 Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, Hawai'i

Wow, what a wonderful year for the Merrie Monarch Festival & for The Palms Cliff House Inn! Celebrated in Mele (song) and honored with Hula at this year's Festival, The Palms Cliff House Inn
truly has become one of Hawaii's most gracious accommodations.

Written by Jon Nouchi, with musical arrangement by Lopaka Ho'opi'i, and performed at this year's festival by the musical group Loea, the wahine (women) of Halau O Na Pua Kukui dazzled the crowd with a beautiful hula that celebrates the aloha experienced and shared at the Palms Cliff House Inn. Written immediately after the Halau's stay in 2003 Jon Nouchi put into words his experiences during his stay with us.

Click on the arrow (play button) to see the performance. File is set-up for cable or DSL download - Dial-up accounts will download much slower.

Needless to say, when Kumu Hula Edward Collier shared this mele (song) with us and told us that the wahine would dance this mele (song) written by Jon at this year's festival, we were overwhelmed. We are so honored and humbled by this wonderful mele and the sentiments it conveys. The women danced beautifully that Saturday evening and much aloha was felt and shared by this wonderful gift that we were given.

John and Michele along with both sons escorted the dancers to the stage.The Gamble family stayed on stage during the performance of the hula Ka Hale Niu O Ka Pali.

The group Loea performs Ka Hale Niu O Ka Pali.

For more photos and more movies of performances by Halau O Na Pua Kukui click on the "More 2004" button below.

Below are the lyrics of Ka Hale Niu O Ka Pali

Ka Hale Niu O Ka Pali
Lyrics by Jon Nouchi

Aia i ka noe a'o Honomu
Kau i ke kuahiwi ku kilakila
Ka hale niu o ka pali ma'ema'e
A ka hoapili 'o Keone me Mikala

I laila makou e noho 'olu ai
E walea e nanea e luana mai
He makani malie e hahani ana
Me ka 'ehukai koni i ka 'ili

Hui na makamaka pili a 'ohana
'Ai nui no i ka nani maika'i
A ka 'aina mona a ke kai piha
Na ka lima no'eau e ho'omakaukau

'O na leo nahenahe e mapu mai
Me ke kani loea ho'okani pila
Ho'oulu ka 'i'ini i loko iho
Hula ana hula mai hula ha'aha'a

He po anu me ka ua hu'ihi'i
Hua 'i ka mehana i ka pu'uwai
Huli na maka i na hoku lewa
Aia ka 'olapa o na kukui

Lele mai na manu mai ka mamao
Ma ka huaka'i hele lo'ihi loa
Pae i 'ane'i ma Pohakumanu
He malu i kahi o Mamalahoa

There, in the mists of Honomu
In the mountains that stand majestically
The attractive Palms Cliff House
Of John and Michele

It was there that we stayed in comfort
Relaxing, enjoying, and spending time
A gentle, touching, caressing breeze
With the sea spray tingling the skin

Friends gather together as family
Partaking if the fruitful bounty
Of the fertile land and plentiful sea
Prepared by skilled hands

Sweet voices waft in
With skillful playing of music
Inspiring the desire within
To dance with humility

Despite the cold night and chilling rain
Warmth wells up in the heart
Turn your eyes to the stars above
There are the many flashes of light

The birds fly from afar
On their long journey
They land here at Pohakumanu
A shelter in the lands of Mamalahoa