Farewell to thee

I remember the Chiefess Kapiolani.
She, who plucked the sacred berries from the borders of the volcano,
She, who descended into the boiling lava,
She, who threw them into the lake of fire while singing Christian hymns.

The Chiefess challenged the volcano goddess Pele,
Broke forever
The power of Pele over the hearts of her people,
And, replaced her with Jesus Christ.

Gone were the old gods and goddesses,
Gone were the sacred kapu traditions,
Gone were the oli chants and ancient hula dances,
Now the hymnals of Jesus protected the Hawaiian people.

The hymns filled my soul.
Note by note,
I sang each and every song.
Finding salvation, finding peace.

And so I sing,
Farewell, farewell to thee,
The ancient ones who,
Bring me memories of the past