Analyzing Disney's Lilo & Stitch's Great Song: He Mele No Lilo by Dan

It’s been really hot these past few weeks, so I figured we’d get into the mood of that with the opening song from “Lilo and Stitch”, called “He Mele No Lilo”, and just like “Circle of Life” from “Lion King”, we are looking into some singing in a language that comes from the setting, this time, Hawai’i. For the sake of understanding the lyrics and the meaning, I will analyze the translation of the song. 

This song actually is a melding of two songs from Hawaiian history, about the final King, and the final Queen of the Hawaiian kingdom, King Kalākaua, and Queen Liliʻuokalani. They were brother and sister, and the songs are hailing the two as good and important individuals of the history of Hawai’i. One of the songs is called “He Mele Inoa O Kalakaua”. Listen to it, and compare it to the one in the movie. You’ll see the influence.

The history of these two figures have had a lot of ups and downs, and working hard to reestablish their culture and traditions after a very controlling Queen Regent called Kaʻahumanu who converted to Christianity, and went so pro-American, that she sold her country and culture to the highest bidder, essentially letting the US rule Hawai’i, even when it wasn’t even a state, and she did everything she could to ensure that Kamehameha II couldn’t even rule, claiming a minority period, even when he was 20 years old, and pretty much ensured that she was regent, as she politically screwed over her step-son, who died young, at 22 years old.

When Kamehameha III was put on the throne, he was only 11 years old, and Kaʻahumanu kept a tight grip on the throne, obsessively trying to turn the Kingdom of Hawai’i into a Christian nation, tossing away all the traditions, including the cultural dance, Hula. Kamehameha III however, was not one who let his step-mother control his life. Due to how she ruled, the Hawaiians lost demographics insanely with Kamehameha III starting out with 150 000 people, and eventually it was halved. 

He also was a Christian, but was torn between his Step-mother’s version of Christianity, his traditional culture, and even a clash over catholicism when confronted with the French. He brought back the native culture practices by recalling all those who knew of the traditions, since it hasn’t been that long since it was banned, and many who knew the arts and traditions were still alive, and he brought back the practice and art.

There’s a reason why he is hailed as a powerful and well-respected King. As the rulers pass, the more they bring back their native culture, with respect to modern, Britano-American culture. After time passed, and several kings came and gone, both King Kalākaua and his sister Queen Liliʻuokalani would come to power, and they weren’t as weak as one might think. Kalākaua traveled a lot, and had a lot of building plans, showing that he was rather expensive. The ʻIolani Palace was built on his watch, and it is the only real palace in the United States, which shows how important the culture was to him. During the time he was away, Liliʻuokalani acted as regent, and she was beloved by the people. Both were very concerned about the people, to the point that Liliʻuokalani risked her own well-being by going to see how the people were doing, even during a measles pandemic.

They were both effective rulers, and knew how to run things, but unfortunately, there was too much American meddling, to the point where they replaced her cabinet, with some who were essentially going to sell the Kingdom of Hawai’i to the US, dictating to Liliʻuokalani that she will accept them, even when there was no war that occurred. It was slowly set up during Kalākaua reign, and when he died, the Americans pounced on Liliʻuokalani, giving her such trouble that she would have to fight for her authority, and protect her native culture.

Unfortunately, the US shook things up to the point where they illegally arrested her, and stripped her of everything she had, and she eventually capitulated. In fact, when she was exiled for a time, she actually wrote the short song "Aloha ʻOe", later sung in the movie as well, and Liliʻuokalani was heartbroken to leave Hawai’i, as she loved her kingdom dearly. There’s a reason why her brother said that she was the only one he could trust with the keys to the kingdom.

Why discuss this abridged version of history? That is because it is relevant to the song at hand, as it sings of the two, and how they are loved. Now, let us start the analysis.

Greatest praise to her majesty (The Queen Of Hawai’i)

Liliʻuokalani the Wohi ruler (Ruler of the land and to the throne)

This is pretty much like “Long live the Queen”, but with more reverence to Liliʻuokalani, the final Queen of the Kingdom, who was very well loved by the people.

The great arches of rainbows (The works of love)

Beams of colors unrivaled (Passing along with the gently flowing rains)

Here we discuss how rainbows show up after raining, but the symbolism is about how the Queen loved the people, and how she is like a gentle rain, bringing in light from a rainbow.

Look at the breaking dawn (In the bright heavens)

From the vastness of Hawaiʻi to Kauaʻi (The beauty is revealed)

Now we see what she loved about her country, and the vastness of the former Kingdom, and how she was a bright spot for the nation.

Kalākaua is his name

The flower that never fades in the sun

Now in the second verse, we discuss Kalākaua, The last King of Hawai’i. They compare him to an undying flower, which says that he may have had a gentle side to the people, and that he is always remembered by them.

The flower blooms on the mountain

On the high hill of Mauna Kea

Mauna Kea is the highest point in the islands, and because Kalākaua is compared to a flower, him blooming at the highest point shows how much the people revered him, and his position in Hawaiian history.

Glowing white on Kīlauea

Illuminating Wahinekapu

Kilauea is another volcano, similar to Mauna Kea. Mauna Kea is inactive, however Kilauea is the most active of the volcanoes, hence why we talk about it “Glowing white”. Wahinekapu is known to be so hot, that it simply vaporizes water, and is connected to another volcano.

Atop the high Uwēkahuna

Is the sacred cliff of Kaʻauea

Uwēkahuna is known as the summit of Kīlauea, and it is used as location to honour a volcanic deity known as Pelehonuamea, and it overlooks a cliff known as Kaʻauea. So here we have a history and geography lesson of Hawai’i, in this cultural song.

Bring forth the king of birdcatchers

To adorn him in the feathers of the mamo

The song calls forth to gift  King Kalākaua with mamo bird feathers, of a national bird.

The beautiful flower of Hawaiʻi

Kalākaua is his name

Again we have King Kalākaua compared to a flower, and the final line is used to emphasize how important he was. 

Kalākaua is his name

The flower that never fades in the sun

The flower blooms on the mountain

On the high hill of Mauna Kea

Glowing white on Kīlauea

Illuminating Wahinekapu

Atop the high Uwēkahuna

Is the sacred cliff of Kaʻauea

Here, we repeat the Chorus, and there’s nothing to reanalyze.

Greatest praise to her majesty (The Queen Of Hawai’i)

Liliʻuokalani the Wohi ruler (Ruler of the land and to the throne)

Bring forth the king of birdcatchers

To adorn him in the feathers of the mamo

The beautiful flower of Hawaiʻi

Kalākaua is his name

A namesong for our chief, Kalākaua

Cast forth! 

These last two verses are praising the last two rulers, still acknowledging Liliʻuokalani as the rightful ruler, and Kalākaua is the chief of the islands in the hearts of the people.

Honestly, it sings like a national anthem, and it is fitting that Lilo at the end dances the Hula cultural dance, and we see and hear about the history, the culture and the Kingdom of Hawai’i, in such rich detail, that it makes you want to dance.