MAUIWatch Maui's 24/7 News Source
Some things are just better in Hawai’i. The poke, weather, culture and now – Bruno Mars.
Written by Kamaka Camarillo and Kawika Aspili, “E Pi’i Mai” takes a Hawaiian spin on the song “That’s What I Like” from Mars’ grammy award-winning album, 24K Magic.
“The message we’d hope to send is to the next generations, to inspire them to continue learning their culture and mother tongue,” Camarillo said. “They can then use that skill to mix with music and continue to perpetuate the culture.”
The five-minute music video features some of the best Hawai’i has to offer: lo’i kalo, lush landscapes and teal blue oceans. Kaua’i funny man Zavier Cummings, better known as ‘Braddah Z’, even makes an appearance.
Since being posted to Facebook Saturday night, the video has been viewed over 14,000 times and has racked up nearly 800 shares.
Many on social media showed their support of the rendition, some ma ka ‘olelo Hawai’i.
“’A’ole makemake wau ‘o Bruno Mars. Aka, makemake nui au i keia mele,” posted Chris Kapa.
Matthew Kaho’ohanohano echoed the same sentiment in fewer words commenting, “Dis buggah is on fiyah.”
To practice singing along, here are the lyrics:
E kipa mai, i ko’u ‘aina
Aia ma Lahaina.
Ho’okono i na hoa
Amama, ua noa
‘Uwehe no keia
Wehe wehe no’u
Huli no a ‘ami no keia
‘Ami, ‘ami no’u
E huaka’i i Kaua’i
E ku’u i ka ma’i
Ku’i i ke kalo
He ‘ai a pa’ipa’i
E kanu ma ka lo’i
Kanu, kanu no ka Mo’i
Ho’okahe i ka wai
A ho’oulu ka ‘aina
E kau mai ka pe’a
Holo ka wa’a
Holo i Tahiti
Ho’oma’ama’a
Pono no keia
Pono no kela
Hanai ‘ia i ka ‘iao
‘Alohi mai no ke kai,
Kuhoupo’o aku i ka wai ai
Laki no ‘oe, e pi’i mai, e pi’i mai
Laki no ‘oe, e pi’i mai, e pi’i mai
Hua’i ka punawai
Le’ale’a i ka hana pakiai
Laki no ‘oe, e pi’i mai, e pi’i mai
Laki no ‘oe, e pi’i mai, e pi’i mai
E ho’i mai i Olowalu
E he’e i ka nalu
He’e ana i ka lala
Ho’i ana i ka muku
Ku’u ipo
Na’u ‘oe e malama pono
Le’a mau i ka makahehi
Pi’i i ka mauna
I luna o ke kaona
Hika’a i ka lani,
‘O wai la ka mahina?
He hoku?
Akua?
‘Oia no
Maika’i!
E kau mai ka pe’a
Holo ka wa’a
Holo i Tahiti
Ho’oma’ama’a
Pono no keia,
Pono no kela
Hanai ‘ia i ka ‘iao
‘Alohi mai no ke kai,
Kuhoupo’o aku i ka wai ai
Laki no ‘oe, e pi’i mai, e pi’i mai
Laki no ‘oe, e pi’i mai, e pi’i mai
Hua’i ka punawai,
Le’ale’a i ka hana pakiai
Laki no ‘oe, e pi’i mai, e pi’i mai
Laki no ‘oe, e pi’i mai, e pi’i mai
