Sandpiper- Little Golden Plover

The Golden Plover flies to Hawaii every winter when it's freezing in Alaska and like other animals who migrate south during the snowy season, this bird then flies about 3000 miles back to Alaska. A famous Hawaiian song sung by many of this lovely bird is called Ulili E written by George Keahi and Naope. Click here to hear the song sung by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole.

`Ulili E - by George Keahi & Naope
Hui:   `Ulili ë (ahahana `ulili ehehene `ulili ahahana) `Ulili ho`i (ehehene `ulili ahahana `ulili ehehene) `Ulili holoholo kahakai ë O ia kai ua lana mälie     Hone ana ko leo e `ulili ë O kahi manu noho `ae kai Kia`i ma ka lae a`o kekaha `O ia kai ua lana mälie     Hone ana ko leo kölea ë Pehea `o Kahiki? Maika`i nö `O ia `äina `uluwehiwehi I hui pü `ia me ke onaona	Chorus:   The sandpiper The sandpiper returns Sandpiper runs along the beach Where the sea is peaceful and calm     The voice of the sandpiper is soft and sweet Little bird who lives by the sea Ever watchful on the beaches Where the sea is calm     The voice of the 'ulili is soft and sweet How are you, stranger? Very well You grace our land Where the sea is always calm
Source: J. Kanoa Martin - This verse is the only extant part of an old mele about birds and their calls, that migrate to Hawaii. The ulili, wandering tattler (heteroscelus incanum) or sandpiper breeds in Alaska and the Yukon and migrates to Hawaii in the winter. Translator unknown, Edited by Dr. Barbara Price, Copyright Criterion Music Corp (http://www.huapala.org/U/Ulili_E.html)