"Nematoda," sung by Keali'i Rachel

Nematoda
words and music by Puakea Nogelmeier


E nematoda kolo i ke anu Oh nematode, crawling in the cold
Me ka pouli o ka lepo i lalo In the darkness of the dirt there below
E lâlau a`e i ka mâ`ama`ama Reach out for the brightness and the light
Me ka mehana o ke ao âkea Here in the warmth of the great, wide world.

E nematoda i ka mâla pua Oh nematode in the flower garden
Mai `imi i ke a`a e omo ai Don't seek out the rootlets for you to suck upon
E honi i ke `ala nôheahea Inhale the sweetness of the heady fragrance
I ka mâhie me ka uluwehiwehi Amid the splendor and the lush beauty.

E nematoda `ôku`u wale Oh nematode, just squatting there
Ho`ohalahala i ka nani o ka paia Finding fault in the beauty of the wall
E pâ`ihi`ihi `oe i ke o`a You should exhale the rafters themselves
Me ka pouhana e kûpa`a ai ka hale And the pillars that stabilize this house.

E nematoda `auhea `oe Oh nematode, won't you take notice
E alo pû ana i ka hale kanaka You live together in a world of people
Hewa `ole kauhale kanaka `ole There are no flaws in a world uninhabited
I laila paha `oe e `oli`oli ai Maybe that is where you could find delight

Kaukau `ia mai me ke aloha Admonished kindly and with affection
I ke ao kanaka e mâhie nei In this delightful world of human existence
Hea aku mâkou, e ô mai `oe We call out to you, respond to your name
E nematoda, e môhala mai Oh nematoda, let yourself bloom forth.

"E nâ nematoda e ho`olohe mai nei!" "Hey all you nematodes who are listening!"
"Tsa `oukou!" "Shame on you!"
"E nânâ iâ `oukou iho." "`Ae." "Look at your own selves." "Yes."
"He aha kâ `oukou hana i kêia wâ?" "What are you doing now?"
"Nematoda wale!" "Criticizing as usual!"