The True Interpretation of the Song, “Meleana E”

Aloha, Kumu Kawahine here once again, excited to share another update on my ongoing hula journey with the halau. As we find ourselves in September 2023, I reflect on the multitude of experiences that have unfolded since my last entry. Following a whirlwind summer filled with hula performances, I made a conscious decision to temporarily step back from participating in additional shows. My primary focus shifted towards nurturing the growth of our halau by delving deeper into the realms of hula, song history, overall Hawaiian culture, and student enrollment.

A significant highlight during this period involved teaching the talented students of Papa Wahine, our women's class, their very first Auana, or modern hula, song. The title of this Hawaiian song is "Meleana E" which means Mary Ann in English. This particular composition holds an immensely special place in my heart as it was composed for my beloved grandmother, Mary Ann Kaaa Diaz, by my great-grandfather, Francis Kaaa. The profound significance of this beautiful song resonates not only with me but also with my entire family. "Meleana E" is a classic oldie that is a joyful, playful, and catchy Hawaiian tune that has been performed and enjoyed by many, both within and outside of the Hawaiian community.

My grandmother, who was a full-blooded Hawaiian and the oldest child in her family, adds a special layer of history and importance to this beloved part of our culture. This song tells a story from her childhood when she used to eagerly wait for her father to come home after a long day of work. When he arrived, tired and dirty, she would use her firm hands to “Lomi” or massage his shoulders to show how much she loved her dad. One of the main lines in this song is “Meleana kawahine lomilomi ia,” which means, Mary Ann the woman who massages. In this Hawaiian poetry, “lomilomi” symbolizes the delicate process of extracting meat from an 'Ō'io fish by massaging and turning it into a delicacy. This comparison underscores the deep care and affection a father and daughter share for one another. As a result, this song beautifully captures the pure, innocent connection between them, and that's the message my family and I are committed to sharing with society. Unfortunately, when some people hear or perform this song without understanding its true meaning, they may misinterpret it and incorrectly turn it into a story with a sexual context, which is not accurate at all. Accordingly, I look forward to the correct understanding replacing the inaccurate interpretation, allowing the original authentic story to flourish.

That was the message I hoped to convey to the halau and my students as they learned to dance the hula to this very special song. To help these students truly grasp the significance of the song, I extended an invitation to two special guests who shared their years of experiences with my beloved grandmother, Meleana. Grandma, along with Grandpa Pedro Diaz, who was full-blooded Spanish, had seven children. Sadly, only one of their children is still with us today: my mother, Elizabeth, who came to the dance studio accompanied by my father, Joseph Charles. Together, they shared heartwarming stories about Grandma Diaz, our family's history, significant events, and the stories behind, "Meleana E."

I must express my immense pride in the halau students, who took it upon themselves to warmly welcome our guests with several flower lei and the Aloha Spirit. They then performed the hula I had choreographed and taught them for "Meleana E." Witnessing how attentively they listened as our guests shared their stories was truly a beautiful sight. Every single student who attended the event, both in person and virtually, expressed their gratitude and happiness at gaining a deeper understanding of Mary Ann and her connection to the song. I truly believe this whole experience helped these students to better convey the emotions of the song's meaning from here on out.

In conclusion, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Mom and Dad for generously dedicating their time and unwavering support to the mission of conveying the genuine message behind this song. I am confident that our cherished Grandma Meleana would be proud of the efforts being made to uphold her astonishing legacy. Lastly, I am eagerly anticipating the opportunity to continue teaching the halau students more dances, uncovering historical insights, and revealing the true meanings behind many more songs. Me Kealoha Mai Kakou!