This is how I was inspired to compose this song, Kamalani.
Mrs. Grace Guslander Mgr. of Coco Palms asked Mele Ana Manukalanipo Soong to write a legend about a frog,!! and asked me to compose a song about a frog, as the frogs at Coco Palms Hotel was disturbing the house guests. The guests felt comfortable after she wrote I the story and I wrote the song. The legend tells the story of Puukaninui who fell in love with Kamalani, daughter of a high chief who lived in Wailua. It tells that Puukaninui was transformed into a large handsome frog and now resides here at the Coco Palms Royal Lagoon.
Some nights when it is still, you can hear Puukaninui singing his love song to Kamalani.
Kamalani
Where is my love Kamalani, please answer me Kamalani,
Puukaninui, Puukaninui, oh here I am Kamalani.
Here in this paradise,
Kamalani, Kamalani, Is this the fullness of Heaven,
Here in this paradise.
Please come to me Kamalani when nights at still
Kamalani, you can hear the voice of Puukaninui, it beckons you Kamalani will be together again.
Kamalani, Kamalani, you’ll hear the sound of is voice, here in this Paradise.
Puukaninui,
Puukaninui,
Puukaninui.
•••
Larry Rivera has been a musician on Kaua‘i for more than six decades, and shares the stories behind his songs in “Lyrics of Aloha,” appearing once a month in the Sunday edition of The Garden Island. Win prizes and earn an entry in the Vacations Hawai‘i Vegas vacation for two drawing by listening to KONG radio the following Monday and Tuesday between 6 and 8 a.m. and taking part in a contest based on the column.
