(L-R) Malia Kaʻai-Barrett, Dr. Jon Osorio, Mehana Hind, Malia Nobrega-Olivera, Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole, Meleana Aluli Meyer, Ryan Souza, and Jennifer Santos at the Hawaiian History Month launch at Kapolei Hale. - Courtesy Photo
Hawaiʻi launched its first officially recognized Hawaiian History Month cele- bration at Kapolei Hale on September 2. UH Mānoa’s Hawaiʻinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge, Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī Coalition and the City and County of Honolulu’s Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts joined to welcome the community into a month-long celebration of history, culture and resilience rooted in the legacy of Queen Liliʻuokalani.
In June, Gov. Josh Green signed Act 167, formally designating September as Hawaiian History Month, with its observance anchored around the queen’s birthday on September 2.
Mai Poina (never forget) is a dramatization of the events leading up to the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom from the perspective of various citizens of the nation. It is presented as experiential theatre on the grounds of ʻIolani Palace, in which the audience walks from scene to scene. Here, John Wat discusses voting injustice, with Alaka’i Cunningham looking on. – Photo: ʻŌiwi TV
Mele Pū Lānaʻi united ʻohana from across Hawaiʻi, four generations strong, with 40 new mele verses composed, and the presence of thousands of kūpuna providing guidance. Participants gathered at a place that revealed expansive views of Maui, Molokaʻi, and the channels in between provided a moment of deep reflection and connection. – Photo: Simeona Tajiri
Participants gathered at the Cathedral of St. Andrew to begin the Memory Walk in honor of Queen Liliʻuokalani. The queen was a devoted member of the cathedral and found strength in her faith and the Episcopal Church, especially during her time of imprisonment. – Photo: ʻŌiwi TV
At the historic Kawaiahaʻo Church, everyone was invited to sing along and join in honoring Queen Liliʻuokalani. Through her mele, hula, and collective voices, the community celebrated the queen’s lasting legacy of aloha and resilience. – Photo: ʻŌiwi TV
Also attending were members of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, which first introduced the idea of Hawaiian History Month and have steadfastly advocated for its recognition.
“By designating September as Hawaiian History Month, the state has given us space to reflect and to celebrate,” said Soulee Stroud, Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī Coalition organizer. “But more than that, it reminds us of our kuleana to carry forward the values Queen Liliʻuokalani stood for: aloha, resilience and hope for her people.”
The opening festivities were held against the striking backdrop of the innovative ʻUmeke Lāʻau (Culture Medicine), a 22-foot-wide, 8-foot-tall wooden art piece created by artist Meleanna Aluli Meyer in collaboration with students from Honolulu Community College and UH Mānoa.
