Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 20, Number 12, 1 December 2003 — Kalanianaʻole Hall -- Molokaʻiʻs benevolent treasure [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Kalanianaʻole Hall -- Molokaʻiʻs benevolent treasure

For more than 60 years Moloka'i families have enjoyed the comforts of Kalani'anaole Hall without a thought toward the day when it would deteriorate and heeome barren and lifeless. Fortunately, Moloka'i residents have a knaek for resisting changes like these, a quality that keeps the island "familiar" to its residents. A group of residents calling themselves "Friends of Kalaniana'ole," have sparked a sincere interest in keeping the culturally significant hall from any future other than its original purpose. Situated along Kamehameha Highway, about a mile west of Kaunakakai town, the hall has reserved its plaee as a historical landmark. Historians believe the five-acre parcel to be part of Kapuāiwa Coconut Grove, whieh has been associated with Hawaiian royalty fondly referred to as Kamehameha V. The land is the property of the Hawaiian Homes Commission, but the building is

currently owned by Hale o nā Ali'i o Hawai'i. The hall has a colorful past, providing a Hawaiian vernacular and plantation style amhienee to various social, religious and politieal functions. As one of the few large spaces available on Moloka'i, it has been used as a meeting hall, a banquet hall, a movie house, and most importantly a funeral home. Our Moloka'i families do not have the luxury of a full service funeral home for loved ones who have passed on. Traditionally, families have had to turn to Kalaniana'ole Hall or loeal churches for funeral service accommodations. A decade ago anyone traveling to Kaunakakai from the west side would have to pass the hall bursting with cars surrounding the building. The sight of families gathering among the coconut trees and along the perimeter of the hall signaled the question, "who died?" On an island as small as Moloka'i, chances are that you'd know who had passed and would offer thoughts of aloha and words of

condolences to the family. The grand opening for the meeting hall was March 20, 1937, with its members extremely proud to be "the only Hawaiian organization in the Territory, to own a clubhouse"(Maui News, March 20, 1937). At the time of its opening, the Ahahui Kalaniana'ole had 213 male members — only Hawaiian men on Moloka'i were eligible for membership. Other Hawaiian organizations that have used the hall include the Order of Kamehameha and the Hālau o Kawananakoa. Membership is no longer limited to men, and any person of partHawaiian ancestry ean heeome a member. Over the years, the membership of Hālau O Kawananakoa has been limited to around 30 active participants. Miehael Tancayo serves as the current iku ha'i, or chapter president. Remarkably, he is one of the group's youngest members, while senior members hail in their late 80s. Deeply rooted in its mission to promulgate and cement social

relations among its Hawaiian members, the group feels a sense of responsibility and pride toward promoting matters for the uplifting of the conditions of Hawaiians. Deterioration of Kalaniana'ole Hall and the subsequent need for relocation, has caused a disassociation among the group with its identity as historical pillars of the community. With so mueh history and pride at stake, the Friends of Kalaniana'ole have aspired toward rehabilitation of the hall. Funds are being leveraged to implement two preliminary objectives including emergency repairs and rehabilitation planning. The working group encourages community involvement and will be asking for volunteers to help with emergency repairs and planning meetings. Through projects like these, Hawaiian communities on every island ean take pride in knowing that cultural landmarks like Kalaniana'ole Hall are treasured and appreciated. ■

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Colette Machado Trustee, Moloka'i and Lāna'i