Written by Sam Liʻa Kalāinaina with music arranged by Eddie Kamae. The story shares how the song was entrusted to Luther Makekau, who told Eddie, “Sam Liʻa told me never to sing this song as long as I am alive.” After Sam Liʻa passed, Luther shared the song with Eddie. The story tells about Luther Makekau’s life, personality, and expertise, how he and Eddie first met, and the meaning behind the song.
Pūʻolo contains
- lyrics and translations
- song story
- educational questions
- music sheets
- bibliography
- resources from Kamae archive
Listen with Lyrics
Watch Video Clips on YouTube and ʻUluʻulu
YouTube videos are documentary clips and full song performances.
ʻUluʻulu videos link to short preview clips from raw footage.
Story about “Ka Pua O Ka Lehua” and how Sam Liʻa Kalāinaina entrusted the song to Luther Makekau from the documentary, Liʻa: The Legacy of a Hawaiian Man.
Eddie Kamae recalls the time when Luther Makekau shared with him the song “Ka Pua O Ka Lehua.”
B-roll close up footage of red lehua, 1988.
Short preview clip of Dennis Kamakahi singing “Luther’s song,” a tribute he wrote for Luther Makekau.
Eddie Kamae reflects on what changed his course that got him into talking story with kūpuna about Sam Liʻa Kalāinaina, like Luther Makekau.
To explore more of our digitized collections of raw footage with ʻUluʻulu, visit:
Hawaiian Legacy Foundation: Eddie & Myrna Kamae.