September marks the first Hawaiian History Month. The Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts (MOCA), in partnership with the Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī Coalition and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoaʻs Hawaiʻinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge are collaborating to host events to honor the occasion.
The month also marks the anniversary of Queen Liliʻuokalaniʻs birthday, on Sept. 2.
“Hawaiian History Month is our opportunity to honor Queen Liliʻuokalani’s legacy and ensure that the full story of Hawaiʻi — our struggles, our resilience and our triumphs — is never forgotten,” said Malia Nobrega-Olivera, director of strategic partnerships and community engagement at the Hawaiʻinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge, in a written statement. “These events invite us to walk in the footsteps of our kūpuna, to celebrate our queen, and to come together as a community in the history that continues to shape our future.”
As part of planned activities, there will be multimedia programming at Kapolei Hale, which is currently hosting the ʻumeke designed by artist Meleanna Aluli Meyer. Hawaiian History Month activities will also take place at the Mission Memorial Auditorium and through a digital campaign spotlighting the history of each of Oʻahu’s six moku.
“It is deeply important for the City and County of Honolulu to honor the history of the place we call home,” said Mayor Rick Blangiardi, in a written statement. “Hawaiian History Month ensures these stories continue to be shared with residents and visitors alike. This is history that should be honored and passed down to future generations, and the city is committed to making sure it lives on at the heart of our community.”
Upcoming events highlighted by the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, which is home to the Hawaiʻinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge, include:
Aug. 31, Eō e Liliʻu Concert, Kawaiahaʻo Church: a community sing along that celebrates the queen's musical legacy.
Sept. 2, Hau‘oli Lā Hānau e Lili‘uokalani, ʻUmeke Lāʻau at Kapolei Hale: a commemoration of Queen Liliʻuokalani’s 187th birthday and the passage of Act 167, which established Hawaiian History Month.
Sept. 6, Free tours and memory walk, ʻIolani Palace: Free tours of ʻIolani Palace.
Sept. 6, 7 and 13, Mai Poina: The Overthrow Walking Tours, ʻIolani Palace: Learn about history, where it happened. The dramatic walking tours, created in 1993 by playwright Victoria Nalani Kneubuhl, recreate the pivotal days of January 1893 and share stories of the Hawaiian Kingdom’s overthrow.
For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up here for our free Daily Edition newsletter.
Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.