A number of events this month honor Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana‘ole, a prince of the reigning House of Kalākaua in 1893 when the government of Queen Lili‘uokalani was overthrown. He later became a politician, and served as the Territory of Hawai‘i’s delegate to U.S. Congress.
Prince Kūhiō founded the first Hawaiian Civic Club, which celebrates its centennial on Dec. 7. He also led the passage of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920. Hawaiian civic clubs and homestead associations march through Waikīkī each March to commemorate the prince’s birthday, which has been designated a state holiday.
The Prince Kūhiō Festival is sponsored by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority and Kamehameha Schools. More details and information can be found at www.princekuhiofestival.org
Waikīkī By Moonlight
March 3, 2018, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The Kalama ‘Ohana and the Hawaiian Music Walk of Fame will honor Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana‘ole in a moonlit ceremony. Free. Waikīkī Hula Mound, Kūhiō Beach.
Kūpuna Kūkākūkā
March 3, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Hear interviews with kūpuna about the Hawaiian civic clubs and their structure, their mission at the time, their club’s involvement and what Hawaiian civic clubs were like in the 1940s. Free. Ka‘iwakīloumoku, Kamehameha Schools.
EO Kalaniana‘ole
March 10, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Prince Kūhiō Festival and the Hyatt Regency Hotel & Spa present Hawaiian arts and crafts with vendors, nahenahe Hawaiian music and hula. Free. Hyatt Regency Hotel & Spa.
Prince Kūhiō Festival Cultural Demonstration
March 17, 1 to 5 p.m.
The event provides an opportunity for Native Hawaiian artists, musicians, cultural specialists and artisans to share the rich aspects of Hawaiian culture, with demonstrations in kapa making, poi pounding, lei making, Hawaiian language games and more. The event will also feature arts and crafts vendors, live music and hula. Free. Royal Hawaiian Center.
Loko Ea 8K Run & Walk
March 18, 6:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
With sweeping views across Waialua Bay to Mount Ka‘ala, participants will step foot on an old WWII runway and gain access to private land used in many TV and movie productions. The route begins at Hale‘iwa Beach War Memorial Statue, then to Ali‘i Beach Park, Kaiaka Bay Beach Park, Pua‘ena Point, Papa‘iloa Beach and back to Hale‘iwa Beach Park. A fun 1 mile course is available. All ages are welcome. Proceeds from this fundraiser go toward restoration projects and educational programs at Loko Ea Fishpond. $40, with discounts for students, kūpuna and military. Registration includes an event t-shirt, bib number with timing chip and a finishers medal. Hale‘iwa Beach Park.
Prince Kūhiō Statue Lei Draping
March 24, 7:30 a.m.
Hawaiian Civic Clubs, community members and malihini are invited to gather at Prince Kūhiō’s statue to honor him and his legacy. Free. Prince Kūhiō Statue Waikīkī.
Prince Kūhiō Commemorative Parade
March 24, 9:30 a.m. to noon
A unique parade will honor Prince Kūhiō’s accomplishments, as well as the dedication and commitment of a multitude of individuals and organizations who work year-round to perpetuate Hawaiian culture while enhancing the welfare and wellbeing of the Native Hawaiian community. Malihini and kama‘āina alike will learn about the work of Hawaiian civic clubs and learn about royal societies, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Hawaiian homestead associations, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Alu Like, Inc., the Queen Lili‘uokalani Trust and the numerous community organizations, hālau hula and marching units that are invited to participate. Each year members of the Royal Societies (Royal Order of Kamehameha, Ka‘ahumanu Society, Hale O Nā Ali‘i and Mamakakaua), schools and the Royal Hawaiian Band also participate. Free. Saratoga/Kalākaua to Kapi‘olani Park.
Prince Kūhiō Ho‘olaule‘a/Hō‘ike‘ike
March 24, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The ho‘olaule‘a/hō‘ike‘ike at Kapi‘olani Park features Hawaiian civic clubs and their members, and Hawaiian organizations providing tasty food booths, Hawaiian arts and crafts and free entertainment. There will also be exhibits by various Native Hawaiian organizations and businesses. Free. Kapi‘olani Park Bandstand.
Ali‘i Sunday
March 24, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Ali‘i Sunday services in honor of Prince Kūhiō occur on the Sunday before his birthday and are attended by the Benevolent Royal Societies, Ali‘i Trusts, Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Parishioners of Kawaiaha‘o Church and the public. Free. Kawaiaha‘o Church.
Prince Kūhiō Choral Concert
March 25, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Featuring rare Hawaiian a cappella under the direction of choral master Nola A. Nahulu and produced by Kawaiolaonāpūkanileo (Hawaiian Vocal Ensemble), the Prince Kūhiō Choral Concert features groups such as Hawai‘i Youth Opera Chorus, UH Mānoa Hawaiian Chorus, community choral groups and the Kawaiaha‘o Church Choir. Through each choral arrangement, the audience learns about historical places and prominent persons in Hawaiian history. Free. Kawaiaha‘o Church.
Waikīkī By Moonlight
March 31, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The Farden ‘Ohana and the Hawaiian Music Walk of Fame will honor Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana‘ole in a moonlit ceremony. Free. Waikīkī Hula Mound, Kūhiō Beach.
Holokū Ball
March 31, 5 to 9:30 p.m.
The Holokū Ball is an annual fundraiser held by the Hawaiian Civic Club of Honolulu to raise funds for scholarships. $160-$10,000. Pōmaika‘i Ballroom, Dole Cannery.
