Chang 1

Arisa Chang

Mr. Goto

English 12

11 February 2020

My Dad and Best Friend All in One

I. Lyrics:
You have been the rock in my life
By my side through the hardest of times
The moon in the nights sky
There to light up my dark days
You are the bright sun shining down
The glow from the beautiful Ko‘olau mountains

You are someone that I can count on

The most important factor in my life
I cherish all our time together
Grateful for all you’ve given me

The rainbow after a shower of rain

Like the waves at the beach
You can be calm
You can be scary
Nevertheless, very loved
Nothing can replace you
Permanent like a tattoo
(Chang)

II. Background Information:

This poem/hakumele was written about, and for my dad. He is the most consistent person

in my life and has genuinely done so much for me and our family. I wanted to show what he is

like along with how I view him. Our task was to write about someone special in our life and the

first person I thought of was my dad, so I knew right then that I would create a piece dedicated to

him.
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In the first stanza I compare him to things such as the sun, moon, glow, etc. to show how

he has made me both happier and better. These lines show how he has impacted my life in such a

positive way. The second stanza differs from the first stanza because I no longer compare him to

things. I both openly and clearly express why I love him. I wanted this stanza to be different and

come straight from the heart. Lastly, the third stanza is only describing him through elements and

other things.

III. Hawaiian Poetic Devices:

Dudoit writes, “Art is not about color or shape or form. It is ultimately not even about the

thing that gets put down on paper, or made into an object, or carved into a stone. Art is the life

that made that thing of paper or clay or stone. It is the lives that the individual life is moving

forward into another state of being” (26). This poem was brought to life due to special place that

my dad has in my heart. “You are the rock in my life/By my side through the hardest of times”

(Chang). This poem was intended for him to show my love and appreciation for him.

This poem displays honoring persons. Elbert discusses the common categories of mele as

“love songs (29), songs honoring places (16), songs honoring persons (12)” (1). This poem

honors my dad for all the things he has done for me to make me into who I am today. It also

describes how he has impacted my life. “Grateful for all you’ve given me” (Chang). I am

showing my gratification towards him.

There are many examples of Tersness, or short phrases in this poem. Short phrases are

commonly used, Elbert states that “Hawaiian poetry for the most part consists of short, terse

carefully adjusted sentences; all matter that can be is thrown out that the principal idea may make
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the stronger impression” (11). “You can be calm/You can be scary” (Chang). This poem has

short but meaningful phrases that help explain how my dad is.

After doing some research, it’s believed that “There are probably thousands of aloha aina

sayings. They name illustrious chiefs and places, important rains seas, winds, and distinctive

features” (Elbert 119). “The glow from the beautiful Ko‘olau mountains” (Chang). I chose to add

the Ko‘olau mountains to my poem because we live on the Eastside and we see it every day at

home. The sun shining on the mountains is a calming sight and I wanted to show the connection

between how my dad brings calmness to my life just like how the mountains do too.

This poem exemplifies kaona, “One of the Hawaiian poetic devices was identified as

kaona expressed through natural elements” (Reichel). Some examples are wind, rain, ocean, sun,

etc. “The rainbow after a shower of rain/Like the waves at a beach” (Chang). Using the rain,

waves, and sun helped me show the comparison of the effects the elements have to nature and

my dad has in my life.

Using place names to express emotion made the poem more personable. Place names also

helps bring more emotion to the poem; Elbert states, “Hawaiians sayings also may be didactic.

The two in the preceding paragraph seem to express resignation and patience. Others, no

didactic, describe emotional sates or important events” (118). Writing about the beautiful

Ko‘olau mountains helped bring a personal touch that roots back to my home. “The glow from

the beautiful Ko‘olau mountains” (Chang).

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Works Cited

Chang, Arisa. “My Dad and Best Friend All in One.” Poem, 03 February 2020.

Dudoit, Mahealani. “Carving a Hawaiian Aesthetic” in Oiwi: A Native Hawaiian

Journal: Volume 1. Honolulu, HI: Kuleana Oiwi Press, 1998. Print

Elbert, Samuel H. “Connotative Values of Hawaiian Place Names” in Place Names of

Hawaii. Honolulu, HI: University of Hawaii Press, 1976. Print

Elbert, Samuel H and Noelani Mahoe. Na Mele O Hawaii Nei: 101 Hawaiian Songs.

Honolulu, HI: University of Hawaii Press, 1970. Print

Reichel, Kealiʻi. “Hakukole”. Vimeo. May 2012. Web. 01 August 2014