Hawaii Aloha
"Hawaii Aloha," also called "Kuu One Hanau," is a revered anthem of the native Hawaiian people and Hawaii residents alike. Written by Lorenzo Lyons, a Christian minister who died in 1886, to a tune by James McGranahan, "Hawai‘i Aloha" was considered by the Hawaii State Legislature in 1967 and by the Hawaii State Constitutional Convention in 1978 to become the official state song, but "Hawaii Pono‘ī," written by King David Kalākaua and composed by Royal Hawaiian Band Master Henri Berger, was chosen instead.
"Hawaii Aloha" is typically sung in both small and large, formal and informal gatherings, both in Hawaii and abroad, while participants stand in a circle with joined hands. It is a feature of the inauguration of the Governor of Hawaii, and the opening sessions of the Hawai‘i State House of Representatives and Hawaii State Senate. Traditionally, the last chorus is sung with hands raised above heads; the act of raising hands is especially important to advocates of the Hawaiian sovereignty movement.
Listen to an excerpt: http://www.roseensemble.org/recordings/hawaii.html
