Holo I ke kula holo holo e
Holo I ke kula holo holo e
Ma ka waokele o Pelekunu e
Kai i na pele a nalo ka honua
Kahi i noho na Oonukumu
Eia la eia la e
Eia la eia la e

Aue ua ki ka pu a na poe hahai manu
Nalowale na manu e
Mai ka paapu o ka ululaau
Aue nalowale e
Aue nalowale e
Na Oonukumu e
Aue Pelekunu e

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Run to the uplands, run
Run to the uplands, run
To the rain forest of Pelekuna
Where the lava procession covered the earth
The place where the Oonukumu birds dwell
Here it is, here
It is here, here

Oh no! The gun shot of the bird catchers!
The birds are gone
They once filled the forest
Alas they are gone
Too bad they are gone
All the Oonukumu birds
Alas Pelekunu

This mele (song/chant) captures the events that led to the extinction of the Oonukumu bird at Pelekunu valley on the island of Molokai. The kia manu (bird catchers) of Molokai used the old ways of snaring birds, plucking the desired feathers and setting them free again. This old
practice ensured the continued availability of bird feathers for use in the various feather making traditions. When guns were introduced by foreigners, the kia manu took to using it because it was so much easier than the old ways; however it came at a price. The Oonukumu bird became extinct because of the use of guns to catch the bird instead of the old snare and release method. An extremely poignant lesson learned and encapsulated in this mele for generations to remember.