Buke Mele Lahui: Book Of National Songs

This rare collection of more than a hundred songs from the end of the nineteenth century contains the largest number of Hawaiian political and patriotic songs ever printed in one place. Also included in the collection are nonpolitical songs that reflect other personal and political aspects of Hawaiian life of that period. In 1895, Francisco Jose Testa, editor of “Ka Makaainana,” collected these mele together in one volume to be published as “Buke Mele Lahui.” Testa refers to these compositions as “mele aloha aina,” patriotic songs or songs of loyalty.

• F. J. Testa, Editor