Taught by missionaries, she was an adept sight-singer who developed perfect pitch and was proficient in playing the guitar, piano, organ, autoharp and zither. Born in 1838, Liliʻuokalani began her musical training at around age seven as part of her schooling. The song of the lover’s embrace, known as “ Aloha ‘Oe,” was published in 1884, and became the best known of Queen Liliʻuokalani’s verses, but it’s just one of more than 200 works she composed during her lifetime. When she returned home, Liliʻuokalani began to write the lyrics for her song: Soon, the entire party was swept away by the haunting melody, singing the wordless tune along with her. Moved by this declaration of amour, the romantic Hawaiian monarch began humming as the group set off on their journey. Surrounded by the verdant flora of the island, the lovers passionately kissed farewell, then with longing separated. As she mounted her horse and looked back to ensure everyone was ready, she saw Boyd pull one of her friends into a tender embrace.

Queen Liliʻuokalani, the last monarch of the Hawaiian Islands, prepared her party to leave for Honolulu after spending time at the country ranch of Col. so much so that her repertoire remains at the forefront of those performed by Hawaiian musicians today,” says the Smithsonian's John Troutman Queen Liliʻuokalani (above in Honolulu in 1917) “was one of the most successful composers.

Aloha hawaii music