Aloha Oe

Aloha ‘Oe (Farewell to Thee) is Queen Lili’uokalani's (2 September 1838 – 11 November 1917) most famous song and was inspired by a horseback trip she took in 1877 to the windward side of O’ahu. After visiting the Boyd ranch in Maunawili, Lili’uokalani witnessed a farewell embrace between Colonel James Boyd and one of the young ranch ladies. A tune came to her on the ride home and she composed the words once she returned to Washington Place. Aloha ‘Oe is a treasured song amongst the Hawaiian people, and popular around the world for its bittersweet evocation of a fond farewell.