Please note: THIS PAGE IS RETIRED. It features a harmonized arrangement of E Malama that spread through the community singing world via the Community Voiceworks book. It is beautiful but it is one of many versions that veered away from the original story and intention. We have since shifted to teaching Sharee Anderson’s original version, and feature that information, complete with her hula movements, on the newer page. We leave this page here for transparency, learning, and archive purposes. If you’d like to carry this song forward, please make sure you are learning from the updated page.

For song research only please, read and listen below:

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E Malama

An Earth Blessing from Kauai

By Bryan Kessler

Adaptation by Mark and Sharee Anderson

Harmonized by Nickomo

Photos: Kauai, from Islands.com and Go Hawaii; and Hula Dancers at Sunset by David Olsen.

I learned this beautiful song from Ubuntu Choir leader Marion Van Namen (Sing Portland) in a yurt at Esalen in Big Sur CA, on a sunny end-of-summer day, overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean. Since then, whenever I find myself stunned by the beauty of the coastline (which is often since I live in California), this song surfaces, demanding to be sung. The purity, power and harmonic dissonance make it one of my newest favorites to teach, hear, and sing.

The sheet music and information is from Community Voiceworks – a book & CD of community music. Their pages are copiable, and sheet music will be made available to choir members.

Lyrics (Hawaiian):
E Malama i ka heiau
E Malama i ka heiau
E Malama pono i ka heiau
E

(English):
Earth and Sky,
Sea and Stone,
Hold this Land in Sacredness

English Translation:
Yes, we must do what is right and take care of the Earth.

Pono: speaks of balance and of doing healing by being in RIGHT RELATIONSHIP to ourselves, each other, and the earth

More translation information available here and here.

ALL:

BASS:

ALTO:

SOPRANO:

TENOR: