Aloha Nō Wau I Ko Maka Ukulele Chords – Prince Leleiōhoku. This song uses the chords: C, G7, D7, F. You can change the key for free, as needed.
Aloha Nō Wau I Ko Maka Ukulele Chords – Prince Leleiōhoku
ʻO ʻCoe nō kaʻu alG7oha
Kuʻu ipo noho i ka ʻCiu
E noho ʻC7oe a manaʻo FmaD7i
A he G7kuleana kou i ʻaCneʻi
Ua Clike nō ʻoe a G7like
Me ke onaona IāCpana
Ka hoG7ene i kuʻu FpolD7i
KonikG7oni i kuʻu puʻuCwai
CSomeone is tall and G7handsome
Someone is fair to Csee
SomeC7one is kissing someFboD7dy
G7Under the light of the Cmoon
I Cwish I had someone to G7love me
Someone to call my Cown
SoC7meone to sleep with me FnightD7ly
‘Cause I’m G7tired of sleeping Calone
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“Aloha Nō Wau I Ko Maka” History:
“Aloha Nō Au I Ko Maka” (often rendered as “Aloha Nō Wau I Ko Maka” in some recordings) is one of the classic love songs of old Hawaiʻi. It was composed by Prince William Pitt Leleiohoku, a member of the Hawaiian royal family and one of Hawaiʻi’s most gifted songwriters. He is also famous for composing the melody that later became known internationally as the “Hawaiian War Chant.”
What does the title mean?
The title translates roughly as:
“I Love Your Eyes” or “I Adore Your Face/Eyes.”
In Hawaiian, maka means “eyes,” though it can also carry broader meanings connected with the face, sight, or presence of a loved one. The song is a tender expression of romantic devotion.
What is the song about?
The lyrics are written from the perspective of a lover speaking to a sweetheart who is far away. The singer asks the beloved to remember him and declares his affection. One of the best-known lines expresses admiration for the loved one’s eyes and a kiss upon their nose. The overall mood is gentle, intimate, and yearning rather than sorrowful.
The Japanese connection
An interesting piece of Hawaiian musical lore surrounds this song. According to traditional accounts, many people believed Prince Leleiohoku wrote it for a Japanese woman he admired. The lyrics compare the beloved to the fragrance of Japan (“onaona Iāpana”), which has fueled that story for generations. Historians are not entirely certain whether the tale is literally true, but it remains part of the song’s enduring mystique.
Why the song is important
“Aloha Nō Au I Ko Maka” is considered part of the treasured repertoire of the Hawaiian monarchy era. It has been recorded by many Hawaiian musicians over the decades, including Charles K. L. Davis, whose rendition helped preserve many classic Hawaiian compositions.
One reason the song remains beloved is that it combines:
- Beautiful poetic Hawaiian language
- A graceful, memorable melody
- A sincere expression of affection
- A direct connection to Hawaiʻi’s royal musical heritage
As with many of the finest Hawaiian songs, it feels personal and universal at the same time.
My favorite aspect of this mele is how specific the affection is. Rather than grand declarations, the singer notices small details—the eyes, the face, the scent, the feeling of closeness. That attention to simple human details is something that runs through a great deal of classic Hawaiian songwriting.
And since you’ve been exploring these older Hawaiian songs lately, this one sits in the same royal-era tradition as Aloha ʻOe, though it is more intimate and romantic in tone.
