Pua Nahoolewa - Kananaka

“Kananaka was a mermaid who lived in the sea outside of Lahaina, Maui. This hula noho was usually taught to young girls beginning hula instructions. Laʻi refers to the peace that follows passion or the thrill of lovemaking. ʻIwi hilo is the thigh bone or last rib bone, meaning the very core of one's being in Hawaiian poetry. Maʻaʻa is the famous wind at Lahaina. It is believed that when a lot of foam is near the shoreline or the mouth of a stream, the mermaid is present. If the mermaid was in the loko (fishpond), fish could not be caught for food. They would be bitter and not good to eat. He Aloha Mele notes the Maui elders credit this mele to Kauhailikua, a court dancer for King Kalākaua.” - Source: Kealiʻi Reichel CD