The Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs announced today the events connected with the celebration of Prince Kūhiō Day on March 26.  The month long series of events culminates in the Prince Kūhiō Day Parade in Waikīkī.  Sponsored by the Hawaii Tourism Authority and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, as well as other funders including the Kamehameha Schools and the Dept of Hawaiian Home Lands, these events promise opportunities to explore and celebrate the many facets of the Hawaiian culture.

March 5, 2011
Holokū Ball
Royal Hawaiian Hotel Monarch Room
5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

The Holokū Ball will begin the month-long celebration, and is hosted by the members of the Hawaiian Civic Club of Honolulu to raise scholarship funds for Hawaiian students and to recognize notable persons and or businesses in the community who have contributed significantly to the Native Hawaiian culture.  This year’s honorees are Judge Thomas K. Kaulukukui, Jr. (retired), Chair, Board of Trustees, Queen Lili‘uokalani Trust; Leina‘ala Kalama Heine, Kumu Hula, Nā Pua O Likolehua; Dr. Isabella Kauakea Aiona Abbott, Educator, Ethnobotanist (posthumous).  Every year, about 300 people attend the Holokū Ball, with approximately 50 students receiving scholarships from funds raised at the event.  To purchase tickets to this event, please contact Anita Naone at anitanaone@msn.com, phone 261-2121.

March 12, 2011
Native Hawaiian Health Festival
Hawaii Maoli, Kapolei
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

A blending of health and culture, the Native Hawaiian Health Festival brings together agencies and organizations to share information related to Native Hawaiian Health. Featured activities will include demonstrations on exercises; indigenous healthy foods; traditional healing practices; and wonderful cultural demonstrations. Hawaiian music and hula round out the day’s events. An enriching cultural experience, this event takes place in the backyard of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands in Kapolei.  Free event.  For information, please contact Kealii Lum at taiulu@yahoo.com, phone 291-5038.

March 17, 2011, 7:00 p.m.
Prince Kūhiō Choral Concert
Kawaiha‘o Church

Hawaiian a capella singing is rare.  Thus, the Prince Kūhiō Festival is pleased to have among its activities the annual concert of choral music under the direction of choral master, Nola Nahulu and produced by Kawaiolaonāpūkanileo.  Through the narration of each choral arrangement, the audience learns about historical places and prominent persons in Hawaiian history.  It also celebrates compositions of some of Hawai‘i’s most notable composers. Groups such as Kawaiolaonāpūkanileo, Hawai’i Youth Opera Chorus, UH Manoa Hawaiian Ensemble, the Kawaiaha‘o Church Choir, the Na Leo Kuho‘okahi, and the Windward Community College Ensembles perform.  Free. For more information, please contact Nola Nahulu at nnahulu@hawaii.edu, phone (808) 591-9449.

March 19, 2011
ADA Walk for Diabetes
Kapiolani Park
7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

The American Diabetes Association sponsors an annual walk to help raise funds for its work.  Hawaiians have the highest rates of diabetes, and thus it was natural to incorporate participation in this event as part of the Prince Kūhiō Festival.  The walk begins with a performance by the Royal Hawaiian Band and numerous booths provide educational information on diabetes and distribute free diabetic products.

March 19, 2011
Pualeilani Festival of the Arts
Royal Hawaiian Center
Noon to 7:00 p.m.

In celebration of the March 26, 1871 birth of Hawai‘i Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana‘ole, Royal Hawaiian Center joins the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs in a day of Hawaiian arts: folk, fine, and performing, Hawaiian music, traditional and modern hula, demonstrations and displays will fill The Royal Grove with the sites and sounds of old Hawai‘i.  Prince Kühiö was a nephew of King Kaläkaua and Queen Kapi‘olani. After the overthrow, the prince became Hawai‘i’s second delegate to the U. S. Congress. The Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1921 and the Hawaiian civic clubs movement are legacies of Prince Kalaniana‘ole. His home was named Pualeilani, meaning “royal garland of flowers,” and was located in Waikīkī at what is now Kühiö Beach.  For more information, contact Manu Boyd at 931-3111.  Sponsors:  AHCC, Royal Hawaiian Center, Kamehameha Schools. For more information, please contact Manu Boyd at m.boyd@festivalcos.com, phone (808) 591-9449.

March 20, 2011
Ali‘i Sunday
Kawaiahao Church
8:30 to 10:00 a.m.

Ali’i Sunday Services at Kawaiahao Church  in honor of Prince Kūhiō.  Public Invited.

March 26, 2011
Prince Kūhiō Commemorative Parade, Saratoga/Kalakaua to Kapiolani Park
10:00 to noon
Prince Kūhiō Ho‘olaule‘a/Ho‘ike‘ike, Kapi‘olani Park Bandstand
10:00 to 5:00 p.m.

The parade honors the accomplishments of Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana`ole, founder of the Hawaiian Civic Club movement and proponent of the Hawaiian Homestead Act of 1920.  Grandmarshals this year are Roy Benham and Bert Barber.  These kupuna are respected cultural practitioners who have dedicated their lives to advocating for the betterment of Native Hawaiians.

A unique parade, it honors the dedication and commitment of a multitude of individuals and organizations who work year-round to practice and to perpetuate the Hawaiian culture and who enhance the welfare and well-being of the Native Hawaiian community. Malihini and kama‘āina, alike, learn about the work of the Royal Societies, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; Hawaiian Homestead Associations; the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Alu Like, Inc., the Queen Lili‘uokalani Children’s Center, and numerous community organizations, hālau hula, and marching units. Each year members of the Royal Societies (Royal Order of Kamehameha, Ka‘ahumanu Society, Hale O Nā Ali‘i, and Mamakakaua) also participate. Rare Hawaiian flags of the Hawaiian Kingdom are featured.   For more information, contact Shari Gambio at 688-8949, email:  sharigamiao@yahoo.com.

The Ho‘olaule‘a/Ho‘ike‘ike at Kapi‘olani Park features native Hawaiian arts and crafts, exhibits by various Native Hawaiian organizations and businesses, and wonderful food.  The afternoon is filled with entertainment by Hawaiian musicians.  For more information, contact Ulu Beirne-Keawe at ululani2006@hawaiiantel.net, phone 237-8856.

Island of Kauai

Annual Celebration in Honor of Prince Kuhio, Prince Kuhio Park, Poipu, Koloa, Kauai, March 26, 10:30 a.m.  Hosted by the Royal Order of Kamehameha.  Public Invited.

Island of Hawai‘i

Hulihee Palace holds an open house on Prince Kūhiō Day, March 26, 10:00 a.m.  Featuring Hawaiian culture and the arts.  Public invited.  Free

The La’iopua Hawaiian Homestead and the Kuakini HCC will celebrate Prince Kūhiō by an arts and crafts festival at the Kealake’e High School in Kona, March 16, 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.  Public invited.  Free.