Wahine Kahakai, Wahine Kuahiwi

I have always thought of myself...
He wahine kahakai
Born on the gently lapping waves of Lahaina's shores.
But my roots are from the slopes of Haleakala
Kipahulu, home of single named kupuna
Molokai became the meeting place of men from foreign lands
The sailor from Charleston, South Carolina
The merchant from Koong Tong, China
Planting seeds for a poi dog generation
Some not even worthy of carrying the family name.
I live in the mountains now,
The slopes of Mauna Loa.
From Kohala, I can look across the Alenuihaha Channel
I see the lands of my birth, ke one hanau.
My heart remains at the foot of the ocean
With my ancestors