Sweet Leilani, Heavenly Flower
Nature fashioned roses kissed with dew
And then she placed them in a bower
It was the start of you.

Sweet Leilani, Heavenly Flower
I dreamed of paradise for two.
You are my paradise completed.
You are my dream come true.

Sweet Leilani, Heavenly Flower
Tropic skies are jealous as they shine
I think they're jealous of your blue eyes
Jealous because you're mine.

Sweet Leilani, Heavenly flower
I dreamed of paradise for two.
You are my paradise completed.
You are my dream come true.

You are my paradise completed.
You are my dream come true.

About this song:

"Bing Crosby discovered this song in Honolulu while preparing to film the movie, Waikîkî Wedding. [wai KEE' KEE'] To the chagrin of Robin and Rainger, who were writing the songs of Waikîkî Wedding, Bing insisted that "Leilani" [lei lah' nee] be included in the movie.

It was, and ended up winning the Academy Award for Best Song of the Year. Bing recorded "Sweet Leilani" Feb. 23, 1937 with Lani McIntire and his Hawaiians. The song spent 25 weeks on the pop charts, including 10 weeks at the top the charts. It became the first of Bing's 22 gold records.

I once sang with Dennis, along with twenty-three of our classmates at a Song Festival in Hilo. We sang Singing Bamboo, another gorgeous song on his Sweet Leilani CD. Who would have known back during those innocent, pre-pubescent years that we had a budding talent among our motley group of 25 kids, which comprised our entire grade level at Pâhoa School.

You'd better believe it, we're all so very proud of our homegrown darling, Dennis.

Although ailing in bed, he whispered this song in my ear with loving tenderness. Years ago, when I was a little girl growing up in his home next to a rainforest in Puna, Dad would often croon, with great gusto and animated gestures, this mele inoa (name song), which was written by Mr. Harry Owens on the occasion of his own little daughter's birth.

Leilani does not mean Heavenly Flower. Close.
Mr. Owens had indulged in a bit of lyrical license.

Coincidentally, my older sister's name is Pualani! While I knew the literal meanings of our names, it had not occurred to me then that Dad's singing of this mele inoa was "meant" for both of us!

Sharing, it's a very Hawaiian thing to do. It warms my heart to know that I share Dad's singing of this song with my beloved and beautiful sister, Pualani, who is truly the "Heavenly Flower."

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Mahalo.