Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 3, Number 4, 1 April 1986 — Prince Kuhio Day Observances [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Prince Kuhio Day Observances

Hawaiians Have Special Responsibility

"Hawaiians must never forget that they have a special responsibility resting upon them. "Like Kuhio, we today must be concerned that Hawaiians help provide community leadership. In 1986, as well as in 1996 and thereafter, Hawaiians should participate in the policy decisions of Hawaii. And this is not some thing we should leave to ehanee, nor something that we should take lightly."

So was the message delivered by the Right Rev. Msgr. Charles A. Kekumano during Mauna Ala services eommemorating the 115th anniversary Mar. 26 of the birth of Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole. Two other prominent leaders of the state and Hawaiian community in attendance at Mauna Ala took the rostrum as guest speakers later that morning and in the early afternoon in another program marking the same celebration at the federal building bearing Kuhio's name. Congressman Daniel K. Akaka dealt with Kuhio's achievements as a delegate to Congress and Lt. Gov. John David Waihee III reminded the crowd of the Prince's plaee in history "and in our hearts."

A large gathering of Hawaiian dignitaries, state and county officials and Hawaiian organizations heard Kekumano, recently app>ointed trustee of the Queen Liliu'okalani Trust, eall on them to "consciously and conscientiously foster and encourage Hawaiians to step forward." "We must assess the education available to them; education that prepares them in the same way it prepares other ethnic groups in Hawaii. In many cases, we may be able to help Hawaiians excell in the arts and crafts of their ancestors lest the expertise of the past gets lost in the technologies of the present. "We must find ways to motivate and inspire young Hawaiians. We must encourage them to understand the

music that is uniquely Hawaiian and appreciate the language that is itself musical. "We must help them understand Hawaiian history, sometimes glorious and sometimes sad; the history that produced not only survivors but achievers, a history filled with stalwart people of great courage." Kekumano related a story that in 1917 Pnnee Kuihio invited six part Hawaiians — three Republicans and three Democrats — for a discussion at his Waikiki home. The six were carefully chosen for they represented various aspects of Hawaii. Kuhio had an idea; a project in mind.

I he six were John C. Lane, a monarchist arrested after the dethronement of Queen Liliu'okalani who later was to become mayor of Honolulu; William E. L. Legros, Honolulu polieeman living in Kapahulu; Alexander G. M. Robertson, a young attorney who later was appointed chief justice of Hawaii's Supreme Court; Noah Aluli, Maui attorney who moved to Honolulu in 1911; Jesse Uluihi, bailiff and librarian for the Hawaii Supreme Court; and William H. Heen, who had been deputy county attorney on the Big Island and later was appointed judge of the Circuit Court. Kuhio wanted these six men, who represented a cross section of 1917 Hawaii, to help him because he was eoncerned that community leadership and civic decisions in Hawaii needed more Hawaiians. They later realized that Hawaiians needed a forum, a platform for leadership. These six men became the nucleus of a new movement, a new civic organization that functioned independently of politics and professions. Thus was born the Hawaiian Civic Club movement whieh would encourage and assist Hawaiians to give civic leadership. "What Kuhio set out to accomplish in 1917 must be eontinued. It isn't too late, nor is it too difficult to find young

Hawaiians in great numbers who cherish their heritage. They are ready to share that heritage, if we give them a ehanee," Kekumano concluded. Waihee noted that looking over the grounds of Iolani Palaee reminds one that "this citizen Prince, whose loyalty to his Queen earned him imprisonment, refused to spend his life in bitterness and instead dedicated himself to work for Hawaii's people within the framework of the then new Ameriean democracy."

Akaka said Kuhio proved to be one of the best protagonists of the Hawaiian people in the Halls of Congress and he had great influence. The Hawaii Congressman noted also that while Kuhio's accomplishments were numerous, "it is said that the greatest single thing that he did for his people was to sponsor and pass through the Congress the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act." Akaka pointed out also that the Prince mmmanHpH the resnect of manu of his rolleaones

The Royal Hawaiian Band under Bandmaster Aaron Mahi and the Pnnee Kuhio Hawaiian Civic Club Choral group, under Anuhea Brown and Kaina Waiau, performed at both locations. H. K. Bruss Keppeler, president of the Oahu Council of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, was master of ceremonies at Mauna Ala while Marlene Sai, president of Prince Kuhio HCC, handled similar chores at the federal building. The Kuhio building celebration, sponsored by the General Services Administration, was an all day affair featuring Hawaiiana demonstrations and exhibits by Waianae Coast Culture and Arts under director Agnes Cope and additional entertainment by the Hawaiian Airlines Serenaders. A treeplanting ceremony was also part of the program.

Rt. Rev. Msgr. Charles A. Kekumano

Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee Moses K. Keale Sr. and OHA Administrator Kamaki A. Kanahele III were among those offering ho'okupu at Mauna Ala.

Watching proceedings at Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Federal Building are from left to right the Rev. Edward Kealanaheie of Ke Alii O Ka Malu Church; Richard Lyman, chairman of the Bishop Estate board of trustees; Lt. Gov. John David Waihee III; and Congressman Daniel K. Akaka. Partially visible to the rear are Benson Lee, president of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs and singer Marlene Sai who was mistress of ceremonies.