mele

SOURCE: https://kumukahi.org/units/na-kanaka/kaaike/mele

What Are Mele For?

Mele serve many purposes. They can evoke excitement, offer praise, or provide critique. They are a means of expressing a wide range of emotions—joy, sorrow, anger, love, and more. Mele can awaken a loved one, soothe a baby to sleep, honor a leader, challenge an opponent, or commemorate significant events. They cover all aspects of daily life, from grooming to mealtime. Essentially, mele are vessels of ‘ike (knowledge), encompassing genealogy, ‘āina (land), deities, and much more.

Mele also act as a form of gift-giving, or ho‘okupu, when visiting someone's home. They are essential for entering new places or hālau hula (hula schools), where the right mele can mark the occasion.

Mele and Hula

Mele play a crucial role in hula. As the saying goes, “I le‘a ka hula i ka ho‘opa‘a,” meaning the enjoyment of hula depends on the ho‘opa‘a (chanter) who plays the ipu (gourd drum) and chants the mele. It’s challenging to perform hula without a mele!

Types of Mele

Music is often categorized into genres such as Hawaiian, reggae, Jawaiian, hip-hop, and R&B. Similarly, mele are categorized based on their purpose and mana‘o (meaning). Here are some types of mele:

• Mele ko‘ihonua: Genealogy chants that outline the rank and ancestors of an ali‘i (chief).

• Mele inoa: Chants dedicated to the name of an ali‘i or a beloved person.

• Mele ma‘i: Chants that celebrate and encourage the growth of future generations or procreation.

• Mele hula: Chants specifically for hula performances.

• Mele ‘āina: Chants that celebrate and honor the notable features of a specific land.

• Mele mahalo: Chants expressing gratitude.

• Mele aloha: Chants showing affection or love for someone or something.

• Mele pule: Chants for worship, intended to yield favorable results if performed correctly.

• Mele kanikau: Chants for those who have passed away, often found in historical Hawaiian newspapers.

• Mele nemanema: Chants for criticism or critique.

Creating a Mele

Composing a mele requires significant effort, as words are powerful and must be chosen carefully to avoid unintended meanings or offense. Often, the mele is reviewed by knowledgeable individuals, though the composer might be the only one who fully understands its deeper meaning or kaona.

Mele are structured in verses, known as paukū (also used for “paragraph”), with each verse or ‘oki (meaning "to cut") representing a distinct thought. Unlike modern paukū, older ‘oki could vary in length and rhythm, separating different themes or ideas within the mele.

Certain features are commonly found in mele Hawai‘i, contributing to their unique rhythm and flow. For example, lines in a mele may end with words that sound similar to or have related meanings to the beginning of the following line. This technique is evident in the mele hula “Ka poli laua‘e ka‘u aloha” by Wahineikeouli Pa. Here’s an excerpt demonstrating this feature:

Ka poli laua‘e ka‘u aloha
A Makana ho‘i e hi‘i mai nei
Hi‘ipoi ‘ia e ka Waiama‘u
Ka makani kaulana o ka ‘āina
Ua like a like me Kanaloa
Me ka wai aniani o Kapala‘e
Ma‘ema‘e ia pua o ka hinahina
Ia lei makahehi a ka malihini
‘I‘ini ka mana‘o e ‘ike aku
I ka poli kapu o Lohi‘au ipo
Ku‘u ipo i ke kai o Kē‘ē
Kai hāwanawana hone i ka poli
Poli o Kilioe, ka‘u ‘ano‘i ai
Ho‘opulu ‘ia nei e kēhu kai
‘Akahi ho‘i au a ‘ike maka
Nā kupa kaulana o ka ‘āina
Ha‘ina ‘ia mai ana ka puana
‘O ka lihilihi o ka poli laua‘e

In this mele, sound repetition and related meanings create a harmonious flow and make the composition more engaging. Such repetitions not only enhance the melody but also aid in memorization for the learners. This and other characteristics commonly found in mele Hawai‘i are referred to as loina or, more recently, meiwi.

What Do Mele Sound Like?

Mele can be expressed in various ways. Traditionally, mele were brought to life through oli, or chanting, rather than singing. Over time, many different styles of chanting emerged. Today, while chanting remains an integral part of mele, we also incorporate singing and a variety of instruments. Early Hawaiian instruments such as the ipu (gourd), pahu (drum), and ‘ohe hano ihu (nose flute) continue to be used. Additionally, modern instruments like the guitar, ‘ukulele, piano, and even the zither have been integrated into Hawaiian mele, blending traditional and contemporary styles to create dynamic and engaging performances.

Mele Today

Mele in Hawai‘i are as vibrant as ever! Kānaka are dedicated to preserving traditional mele and the knowledge embedded in ancient songs, while also creating new mele that reflect contemporary experiences and values. This ongoing evolution allows us to express our aloha for each other and our surroundings through mele. Aloha ē!

Examples of Mele

• He mele kāhea nalu (Mele for calling up surf)
  Kū mai! Kū mai! Ka nalu nui mai Kahiki mai
  Arise, arise ye great surfs from Kahiki
  Alo po‘ipū! Kū mai ka pōhuehue
  Powerful curling waves! Arise with the pōhuehue
  Hū! Kai ko‘o loa
  Well up, long raging surf
  (Fornander—Fornander 6:1999, 207)

• He mele ho‘omālie ua (Mele for slowing the rain)
  Mālie, mālie ka ua i Pōhākea
  Be calmed, be calmed, O rain at Pōhākea
  Pohā, pohā i ka lae o kō mo‘opuna
  Bursting, bursting on the forehead of your Grandchild
  (Pukui 1999, waihona leo 12)

‘Ōlelo Noʻeau Related to Mele

• He keiki mea kupuna. (‘Ōlelo Noʻeau #688)
  [It shows] that the child has a grandparent.
  Said in admiration of a child whose grandparents show affection by making beautiful things for his use or composing songs and chants in his honor. A similar expression is He keiki mea makua: [It shows] that the child has a parent.

• ‘A‘ohe i mane‘o iho ke kumu pepeiao i kāu hīmeni. (‘Ōlelo No‘eau #150)
  Even the base of the ear isn’t tickled by your song.
  A rude remark to one whose song or story is not appealing.