Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 5, Number 4, 1 April 1988 — 'Among My Souvenirs' Failed to Materlalize [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

'Among My Souvenirs' Failed to Materlalize

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By Kenny Haina, Editor Ka Wai Ola O OHA Bishop Museum Family Sunday goers on Mar. 6 reminisced about the charm and color of the 1930s and 1940s as the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs held its 17th Annual Ho'ike'ike andthe third in as many years on the Great Lawn at Kaiwi'ula. "Among Our Souvenirs" was the theme of the 1988 Ho'ike'ike whieh featured the song stylings of Hawaiian composer R. Alex Anderson. Silky aloha shirts, holomuus and paper leis were to have been the order of the day but the dress for the occasion instead was more from the 1980s with shorts, goaheads, tank tops, pullovers and other kinds of summer wear in a hang loose fashion.

While the dress intent of the day did not pan out, there was a lot of nostalgia in the songs of a steady stream of entertainers who brought back plenty of memories with many Anderson compositions. Many in the crowd of about 5,000 got into the mood and gave out with several hulas mueh to the delight of an appreciative audience. The entertainment program this year was simply outstanding. Aside from Olomana, the other groups were lesser known trios outside the Waikiki entertainment mainstream who nonetheless had quality chemistry in their presentations. They were assembled by Hawaiian fashion designer Nake'u Awai.

The highlights of the entertainment, perhaps, was the surprise appearance of Kumu Hula Mapuana de Silva's Halau Mohala Ilima who thrilled the crowd with their beautiful dancing. This was the Merrie Monarch component of the halau whieh will have Olomana — Jerry Santos, Haunani Apoliona, Wal!y Suenaga — as its musicians in the Hilo festival. The halau did four numbers and existed eaeh time to resounding applause.

Mrs. de Silva herself, under the watchful eye of her composer/teacher husband, Kihei, gave the crowd added thrills by dancing two solo numbers. Awai's lineup of entertainers included trios Kemamo, Manapua (with apologies to Bishop Estate Trustee Chairman Richard Lyman who prefers the correct spelling and pronunciation of Meonopua), Kimo Alama's Diamond Head Breeze, U-Ka-Good, Kawaiola, Na Keolani (the ladies of Kawaiaha'o), Lamalani, Kawai Cockett, Elaine Ako Spencer and Kaleilehua. The unusual phase of the program was that it

ran on time with the groups arriving on schedule for their appointed appearance. This is a rare oeeasion when it comes to Hawaiian entertainment involving several groups.

Rowena Akana of Hawaiian Radio KCCN 1420 on the AM dia! and Manu Boyd, Bishop Museum special events assistant, kept the program going at a steady paee as they shared the microphones in introducing eaeh group. Boyd, an extremely talented musician, composer and dancer, also pleased the crowd with a hula. The traditional celebrity box luneh auehon was

held at noon with Annelle Amaral, president of the Ali'i Pauahi Hawaiian Civic Club, turning in a tremendous performance as mistress of ceremonies in soliciting a total of $525 in bids for scholarships.

One of the top bids of $100 went to Royal Feather's Ethelreda Kahalewai for Governor John David Waihee III's contribution of two meonopua baskets slung over a bamboo pole and carried by Noa Chong, husband of Tomi Downey Chong of the Waialua Hawaiian Civic Club. The two baskets contained a mixture of Hawaiian and mainland fruits, pipikaula, smoked papio, laulau, butterfish,

poi and other items. There were other pienie baskets donated by individual club members, clubs and business organizations. A perennial favorite item is a homecooked gourmet dinner of any ehoiee for four by Peter Ching of the Pearl Harbor Hawaiian Civic Club.

While the outdoor program took plaee on a stage before the entrance to Hawaiian Hall, there was choral music offered in the hall by the Hawaii Opera Chorus and the choral groups from Queen Emma HCC, Pearl Harbor HCC and University High School. A "Tee Shirt Jamboree" held sway in Atherton Halau where Danceworks also performed. Outside the halau were island craft vendors and keiki activities in the amphitheatre.

On the Great Lawn were booths of ono food and on "Civic Club Row" were tents housing traditional crafts offered by various clubs. All exhibits were open free to the public with proper identification. Ticket lines for the planetarium were virtually endless throughout the day. It was a beautiful day for Ho'ike'ike with just the right mixture of sunshine and clouds. Upcoming exhibits whieh bear visitations are Waipi'o whieh opened Mar. 15 and whieh was in the news Mar. 7 and Dinosaurs whieh opens Apr. 17. Sherry Evans and Lae Kamaunu of the Koolauloa HCC were again in charge of the Ho'ike'ike. Evans was general chairperson while Kamaunu handled the food booths and Mrs. Chong the crafts.

The grace and beauty of the hula are exhibited by these Halau Mohala llima dancers.

Lining up for stew and rice, Dave's iee cream, shoyu ehieken, Hawaiian plate, etc.