Trails Of Kapāpala

Trails Of Kapapala

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This song is based on Gordon Cranʻs connection to Kapāpala Ranch in Kaʻu and was written shortly after Gordon died. As a young man, Gordon worked on the ranch for a short time then moved on, working on ranches in America before returning to ʻOʻahu on a ranch on the North Shore and on Hawaii Island. Many years later he returned to Kaʻū, acquired the lease for Kapāpala Ranch and made it a home for his family who still operate the ranch today. (over 40 years as of 2020)

There’s thunder in the Mountains

White foam upon the sea

Moa’e winds are blowing

And swirling round me

The wind is blowing oh so hard

But there’s no place I’d rather be

Then on the trails of Kapāpala

The only place for me

I came here so long ago

Young and full of dreams

And the trails of Kapāpala

Taught me the things I’d need

To face the world, make my mark

Become the man I’d want to be

The Trails of Kapāpala

Gave me the things I’d need

In time I drifted far away

To some very distant shores

But the tails of Kapāpala

Brought me back for more

So here I am at ʻōhaikea

Riding in the rain

And if I lived my life again

I’d do it all the same

There’s thunder in the mountains

White foam upon the sea

Moa’e winds are blowing

And swirling round me

The rain is falling oh so hard

But there’s no place I’d rather be

Then on the trails of Kapāpala

The only home for me.

Moaʻe is the name of the trade winds that come out of the North East over the top of Kīlauea an blow down along the Kaʻu Coast toward South Point

ʻŌhai kea; Corral and ancient place name in Kapāpala. Site of a major land battle between Keouakahuʻula and forces of Kamehameha. ʻŌhai is a native tree.