Princess Likelike and her siblings King David KalÃÂkaua, Queen Liliûuokalani, and Crown Prince Leleiohoku II, were known as the NàLani ûEhà(The Royal Four): aliûi who were renowned as composers and champions of Hawaiian music in the latter half of the 19th century. With Likelike's siblings, she led one of the three royal music clubs that held regular friendly competitions to outdo each other in song and poetry while she was alive. "ûÃÂinahau", the most famed of Likelike's works, was composed about the Cleghorn residence in Waikiki, the gathering place for Sunday afternoon musical get-togethers where she wrote most of her compositions. She encouraged the musical education of her daughter, Princess Kaûiulani, and sponsored concerts and musical pageants. The patronage she gave to young musicians and composers helped perpetuate Hawaiian music.
ûÃÂinahau, one of the homes of the Oûahu chiefs, was part of the estate inherited by Princess Ruth Keûelikà Âlani. Originally called Auaukai, Princess Likelike named it ûÃÂinahau or "Cool Land" when she lived there with her husband, Archibald Scott Cleghorn, who turned it into a botanical garden. The stream that flowed through ûÃÂinahau and emptied into the ocean where the present Outrigger Hotel is located, was called Apuakehau. She wrote a song about her home the "Cool Land".
Maikaûi Waipiûo translated as Beautiful Waipiûo, was a song dedicated to Queen Emma whose beauty reminded Princess Likelike of Waipiûo and was the inspiration for the song. In keeping with Hawaiian tradition, the song belonged to the Queen rather than the composer.
Ahe Lau Makani, meaning there is a breath, was a waltz composed jointly with the Princess's sister Liliûuokalani and Kapoli Kamakau, a mysterious collaborator who, to this day, remains unidentified.
Kuûu Ipo I Ka Heûe Puûe One translated as My Sweetheart In the Rippling Hills, was a song originally called Ka ûOwe a ke Kai (The Murmuring of The Sea). The English translation is by Ruth Leilani Tyau and S. H. Elbert. Perhaps the most famous of Likelike's compositions, many believe it was written for a heartbroken girl who could not marry the love of her life.