Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 4, Number 12, 1 December 1987 — Major Hawaiian Gathering at Stadium Jan. 23 [ARTICLE]

Major Hawaiian Gathering at Stadium Jan. 23

Five-Hour Spectacular to Mark Ho'olako, Ho'olokahi

A final program to mark Ho'olako 1987: The Year of the Hawaiian has been set for Jan. 23 at Aloha Stadium. Office of Hawaiian Affairs Administrator Kamaki A. Kanahele III, a member of the organizing committee, explained that the date was selected in recognition of the closing of the Makahiki or Hawaiian year rather than the Western version.

"The event will recognize not the final event, but the beginning of Hawaiian Unity Day — 'Ho'olokahi.' As we complete Ho'olako, (to be enriched), we begin Ho'olokahi, to unify, to eome together," Kanahele said. This will be a gathering for all Hawaiians and supporters to join in an enrichment and a unity of Hawaiians. A coming together of such proportions will mean that it will be the first time Hawaiians, with their families and supporters, will eome together in 168 years.

On Jan. 23, Na Pahu (drums) will sound on all islands from Hawai'i to Ni'ihau. At a specified time, 100 drums will begin sounding within the stadium at the same time. The event is to eall all Hawaiians and their supporters to gather together. It will begin with prayers from Christian ministers and priests and practicing kahunas invited to participate. The Rev. William Kaina of Kawaiahao Church said, "It is about time that both Christian and Kahuna pule to-

gether for the sake of all Hawaiians and Hawaii's people." Rev. Kaina, who chairs the committee responsible for the religious portion of the event, declared that this also provides for many houses of worship to "Ho'olokahi," to eome together and unify in prayer. This will be followed by the biggest gathering of Hawaiian entertainers in Hawaiian history. It is estimated that this will be the largest group of dancers to perform in one plaee at the same time in recorded Hawaiian history. Recording artists and hula halau alike are being invited to perform. This is expected to be a five-hour extravaganza with a spectacular finale.

Planning for this major undertaking has been going on for the past several months and all details are being finalized. Many volunteers will be needed both before and on Jan. 23. OHA is currently collecting names and telephone numbers of those willing to donate some time for this event. The success of this event has been ensured by the generosity of many individuals and groups who have willingly offered their time, energy and skills. If you ean remember the names of people needed to make a baby luau successful, then you ean imagine what the manpower needs will be for this final event. OHA has received wholehearted volunteer commit-

ments from such organizations and groups as: • Trustees, Bishop Estate. • Executive Director Russell K. Okata, Hawaii Government Employees Association. • Black Perry, Hawaii Firefighters Association • Tommy Trask, International Longshoremen and Warehousemens Union • Wally Lean, Operating Engineers • Walter Kupau, Carpenters Union • Mr.and Mrs. Sanford Kaneda, Kaneda's Foods • Blackie Wong, Wong and Wong Restaurants • Bob Lew, Marriott Corporation

• Daiei Corporation, Holiday Mart. • Otaka ine. • Mrs. Kenji Osano, Kokusai Kogyu Company Ltd. • Diamond Head Papayas. • Henry J. Walker, Jr., Amfac ine. • Robert Iwamoto, Robert's Tours. • Robert J. Pfeiffer, Alexander and Baldwin. • Herbert Kaopua, Plumbers International. • Wilbert Eguchi, Masons. • Edison Keomaka, Ironworks. • John Montrone, Painters. • Howard Tasaka, Sheetmetal Workers. • Herbert Kaopua, Building Trades Council. • sce Major, page 20

• Major, from page 1

Many people of Japanese ancestry who have lived in Hawaii and also those from Japan are calling to kokua. Those of other ethnic groups are doing the same but all these groups do not want to be recognized. The list eontinues to grow.

Chairman of the organizmg committee is Charles Heen, chairman of the board of Charles Heen and Associates. Other committee members are Moses K. Keale Sr., OHA Board Chairman; Don Ho, Hawaii's premier entertainer; Federal Judge Sam King; Kina'u Boyd Kamali'i, State Health Planning Director; John Dominis Holt, publisher and author; Oswald K. Stender, chief executive officer, Campbell Estate; Rev. Kaina;

Dick Howard, producer and director; Edward Miehelman, OHA Public Information Officer; Richard Robertson, Charles Heen Associates; and Barbara Yuen, OHA office manager, committee secretary. Kokua is needed from everyone. OHA is asking all Hawaiian groups, organizations, clubs and eommunities who wish to be a part of this historical gathering to please eall Solomon Loo, OHA Director of Volunteer and Internship Program, at 946-2642 or 261-3285. This is an event for and on behalf of Hawaiians. Your kokua is needed.