Oli, mele mark historic Hawaiian History celebration

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Kapolei Hale got here alive with the sound of oli (chant) and mele (tune) as Hawaiʻi launched its first formally acknowledged Hawaiian History Month. The University of Hawaiʻi at 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 (MOCA), joined collectively to welcome the group right into a month-long celebration of historical past, tradition and resilience rooted within the legacy of Queen Liliʻuokalani.

That legacy is now written into legislation. In June, Gov. Josh Green signed Act 167, formally designating September as Hawaiian History Month, with its observance anchored across the Queen’s birthday on September 2.

“Hawaiian history is not something in the past, it is living, breathing and shaping the way we care for one another today,” stated Jonathan Kay Kamakawiwoʻole Osorio, dean of UH Mānoa’s Hawaiʻinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge. “At Hawaiʻinuiākea, it is our kuleana (responsibility) to ensure that Hawaiian history is taught and conveyed responsibly, authentically and with aloha for our people.”

Among these in attendance have been members of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, longtime champions who first launched the concept of Hawaiian History Month and have steadfastly advocated for its recognition over many years.

“By designating September as Hawaiian History Month, the State has given us space to reflect and to celebrate,” stated 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.”

Art, tradition entrance and middle

The opening festivities have been held towards the putting backdrop of the historic ʻUmeke Lāʻau (tradition medication), a 22-foot-wide, 8-foot-tall picket artwork piece now on show at Kapolei Hale. Created by Native Hawaiian artist Meleanna Aluli Meyer in collaboration with Honolulu Community College carpentry college students and UH Mānoa artwork and theatre school and college students, the ʻUmeke Lāʻau serves as a dwelling monument of therapeutic and reflection.

“The City and County of Honolulu’s job isn’t just services, it’s also making sure Hawaiian culture is valued, visible and accessible,” stated Jennifer Santos, government director of MOCA. “Honolulu Hale and Kapolei Hale are more than places to do business, they’re part of the heartbeat of our community, carrying culture, history and art for everyone who walks through these doors.”

In celebration of Hawaiian History Month, MOCA will current multimedia programming at Kapolei Hale and Mission Memorial Auditorium, together with an in-person discuss story session that includes an intergenerational panel of Native Hawaiian voices from throughout Oʻahu’s six moku (districts).

Event highlights (All occasions are free and open to the general public.)

• September 6—Free Palace Tours and Memory Walk, ʻIolani Palace
  Walk in remembrance and revel in free admission to Hawaiʻi’s historic seat of monarchy.
• September 6, 7 and 13—Mai Poina: The Overthrow Walking Tours, ʻIolani Palace
  Experience historical past the place it occurred. These dramatic strolling excursions, initially created in 1993 by playwright Victoria Nalani Kneubuhl, recreate the pivotal days of January 1893 and illuminate untold tales of the Hawaiian Kingdom’s overthrow.
• September 13—Student Film Showcase, Aliʻiōlani Hale
  View six authentic brief movies produced by Hawaiʻi’s scholar filmmakers for Hawaiian History Day.
• September 14—The Kumulipo Experience, ʻIolani Palace
  Witness a sacred cultural providing at nightfall as Nā Kumu Hula (Master of hula) Kamuela Chun, Kalani Akana, Mehana Hind, Kalei Nuʻuhiwa and Kaponoʻai Molitau and their hālau (hula faculty) carry out the Kumulipo, Hawaiʻi’s cosmogonic family tree chant, in honor of Queen Liliʻuokalani.
• September 17 and 19—Kahiki: Native Hawaiians Abroad
  September 17: Virtual program from San Diego, CA
  September 19: Live and digital program from Iosepa, Utah
• September 26—Holoholo Honolulu: Historic Health Sites Tour
  Ride via Honolulu on a double-decker bus and uncover tales of well being, group and aloha.
• September 27—Hoʻōla: History of Hawaiian Health, Virtual Presentation
  Explore Hawaiʻi’s historic well being responses and resilience.

For the complete schedule, go to HawaiianHistoryMonth.org.