Pelehonuamea

Music & lyrics, 2022

Head north, you’re so angry
Find another island home
Sail across these waters
It is time to go

Take your sister, Hiʻiaka
Brother, Kamohoaliʻi
Let the ocean currents guide you
Far out across the seas

Into the night
Into the wave storm
Follow starlight
Know every life form
An enemy on your heels
She is Tsunami
Namaka Tsunami

Kahiki, distant memory
White terns cartwheel in the sky
Niʻihau a garden
Full of life

Held high, her fire staff
Pele digs a fire pit
Rivers orange magma
Too innocent

Namaka Tsunami
Drowns out the light
Namakaokahaʻi
Tidal waves of pure spite
“Pelehonuamea!
“Move on!
“Move on!”

Pele to Oʻahu, Moloʻkai, Kauai
Kahoʻolawe, Pele flies on to Maui
Namaka kills fire with water
Namaka snuffs out life, fire is life
Haleakala goddess war
On Haleakala Pele falls
“Die!” Namaka roars
“I have won!
“I have won!”

Peleʻs body now dismemebered
Her life force mist & smoke
No new islands, no rich earth
Only ghosts

Hiʻiaka cries, so lonely
Is sister really dead?
So very far away Kahiki
Pele is dead?

Deep beneath the Earth
Pele’s spirit is rising
Far beneath the sea
A new island rises up
Pele’s hot blood brings
New life
Brings new life 

Namaka spies Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, so new
Snowcapped mountains touching sky
In her bones Namaka feels Pele stir
Pele the immortal breathes new life
Namaka vomits ocean waters
Hiʻiaka hula dances joy
Pele touches sky
Pele breathes!
Pele breathes!
Pele breathes!

© Kirtland C. Peterson, 2022