The composer's son, Steven, has sent this information about the song: "The song (music and lyrics) was
written by my father, Peter Gates, copyright 1950. Original recordings were Alfred Apaka's "Blue
Hawaiian Moonlight" album, and Haunani Kahalewai's "Tradewind Islands" album, which is the recording
on the Hawaii Calls CD.
In 1993, Ku'uipo Kumukahi recorded the song on her first cd, "Na Hiwa Kupuna O Ku'u One Hanau", giving
credit to my father, but not knowing who he was. In 1994, I met Ku'uipo, and communication began between
my father (in California) and her. They spoke on the phone for the first time last year, February 2002, a
few days before my father died, and she sang the song to him.
Ku'uipo learned the song from Haunani's recording (including a mistake), but back in 1994 my father informed
her of the correction."
Tradewind island
My land of make believe
In dreams I sail over moonlit seas
To you
Tradewind island
My pagan paradise
Someone is waiting beneath your skies
Of blue
Polynesian heaven
Kissed by coral seas
Mothered by the tradewinds
Sheltered by the trees
Tradewind island
My land of make believe
Someday I'll make all my make believe
Come true
Mahalo to Steven Gates for sending the correct lyrics for this song.
