Mele (song, music) has always been a fundamental medium of Hawaiian communication. It has among other things, served to honor beloved leaders, to cherish loved ones, to recall a proud history and to resist things seen as unjust. Perhaps the most famous “song of resistance” in Hawai‘i is a mele titled variously “Kaulana Na Pua” (Famous are the Flowers), “Mele Ai Pohaku” (Stone Eating Song) and “He Lei no ka Poe Aloha Aina” (A Lei for Those who Love the Land). This song was a reaction to the Coup d’État of January 1893. The plan of the newly empowered oligarchy for immediate annexation to America was thwarted by a U.S. Presidential investigation. At this point the Provisional Government began the process of trying to hold onto power as an unpopular, ruling minority. They declared martial law, threatened newspaper editors and took the powerful step of requiring all members of the government, from cabinet ministers to teachers, mail-carriers and policemen, to take an oath of allegiance. If they did not forswear support of their monarch, Queen Lili‘uokalani, they would lose their livelihoods. Even facing the difficulties of surviving without an income, many government employees refused to sign the oaths. Included in this group were members of the Royal Hawaiian Band. Since 1836 the band had represented Ka Lāhui Hawai‘i (The Hawaiian Nation) and at this time of great turmoil these subjects refused to sign any denial of their Queen’s right to rule. After meeting with bandleader, Ellen Kekoahiwaikalani Prendergast, a song of resistance was written. The song spoke proudly of the pua (subjects, children) of Hawai‘i and their steadfast support for their beloved Queen and country. The song was much in demand among the citizenry and would be printed in several Hawaiian-language newspapers. It would come to symbolize a call for justice and recognition of Hawaiian sovereignty.