THE SURF RIDER
From afar it has come, that long rolling wave; from Tahiti it has come; long has it been coming, that wide-sweeping wave; since the time of Wakea it has been on the way.
Now it plumes, now it ruffles itself. Stand upon your surf-board with the sun to lead you on! Stand! Gird your loin-cloth! The wave rolls and swells higher; the wave that will not break bears you along.
From afar it has come, that long rolling wave; long it has been coming, that wide-sweeping wave. And now it bears you towards us, upright upon your board.
The wave-ridden waves dash upon the island; the deep-sea coral is swept inshore; the long rolling wave, the wide-sweeping wave comes on.
Glossy is your skin and undrenched; the wave-feathers fan the triumphing surf rider; with the speed of the white tropic-bird you come to us.
We have seen the surf at Puna; we have seen a triumphing surf rider: Na-i-he is his name.
MELE AHIAHI
(Hawaiian Evening Song)
The sign is given; mighty the sign: Tapu!
All murmurs now, speech, voice
Subdue: inviolable let evening be.
Inviolable and consecrate:
Edgeways and staggering descends
The sun; rain vanishes;
A bonus of bright light comes back.
Hawaii keeps the ordinance: Tapu!
Even far Tahiti now is still, perhaps.
The Island's shelter-giving houses stand;
The Chief withdraws, the sacred cup is his;
