The Power of Oli & Mele

The chant is to acknowledge the presence of the elements, living things past and present, to give thanks and to gather strength for the year ahead. It is to mark the place of threshold where we stand.

The oli is an indigenous Hawaiian chant. It’s usually performed alone, unaccompanied by musical instruments or dance. Rhythm begins and ends with the chanter, who controls her voice through balance, repetition, and metaphor.

The purpose behind an oli varies. Sometimes, it’s an invitation. Sometimes, a story about bygone times, to honor chiefs or a special place. Other times, an announcement. The oli is usually chanted at a time or place of threshold, such as when entering a new location, or a rite of passage like a wedding.

Chanted Hawaiian words and phrases could be called spoken Hawaiian poetry because of their rhythm and beauty. This poetry was often filled with kaona (hidden meanings). A phrase about a pua (flower) could be referring to a sweetheart or a beloved place, even a highly regarded monarch. A phrase mentioning chattering birds may refer to gossip, for example. The mana (spiritual power) of an oli is layered in its themes and kaona. Additional hidden meanings, like rain as a metaphor for love, or the lehua blossom as a metaphor for warrior, could make a chant either a recounting of an actual event or reference to love and war, depending on who heard and understood the chant. As such, the oli may be understood on different levels by different people.

Chants were composed for many reasons, such as chants of birth, death, genealogy, love, naming, praise, prophecy, or events. A chant composed for a particular person became the property of that person or that ‘ohana.