Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 23, Number 6, 1 June 2006 — Sanctuary celebration [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Sanctuary celebration

Atwo-day festival celebrating Hawaiian culture will be held in early July at Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, a 182-acre historical area in west Hawai'i Island that was onee a plaee of refuge for people who broke kapu, or Hawaiian laws. Now in its 45th year, the festival will feature Hawaiian crafts and cultural demonstrations, storytelling, a royal court procession, eanoe rides, Hawaiian food and a hukilau. Hōnaunau village, located in south Kona, was the homeland of Kamehameha I's family, and as such it was for a time an important religious and poliīieal center. Pu'uhonua Hōnaunau was one of several sanctuaries throughout the islands to whieh lawbreakers and defeated warriors could escape. After they entered the pu'uhonua, a kahuna, or priest, would absolve the people of their wrongdoing, and they were allowed to return to their communities. Also located within the park is Hale o Keawe, a thatched temple that onee contained the remains of Kamehameha's kūpuna, including his great-grandfather, the temple's namesake. Traditionally, Hawaiians believed that, in addition to a large surrounding wall, the refuge was protected by the spirits of those laid to rest in Hale o Keawe. Established as a national park in 1961, Pu'uhonua o Honaunau features fishponds, heiau, hōlua sledding tracks and the restored Hale o Keawe. [3

Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau cultural festival Sat.-Sun., July 1-2 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 382-2326 ext. 32

In 1871, Kamehameha V established June 11 as "Kamehameha Day" in honor of his grandfather, who conquered and unified the Hawaiian Islands. Today, numerous events celebrating Kamehameha I are held throughout June. Here's a rundown of some of them. For more information, eall 586-0333. Kamehameha Statue Lei Draping Fri., June 9, 3:30 p.m. Ali'iolani Hale Kamehameha Floral Parade Sat., June 10, 9:30 a.m. Begins at King and Richards streets and ends at Kapi'olani Park North Kohala Kamehameha Day Celebration Sat.-Sun., June 10-11 Kapa'au Lahaina Kamehameha Day Celebration June 17, 9 a.m. Front Street Kaua'i Kamehameha Day Celebration June 17, 10 a.m. Antone Vidinha Stadium King Kamehameha Hula Competition Fri.-Sat., June 23-24 Neil Blaisdell Center

Sailing eanoe festival Fri.-Sun., June 9-11 In celebration of Hawaiian eanoe traditions, the festival will feature canoe-rigging demonstrations, eanoe rides, educational workshops and an 80-mile race from Kā'anapali on Maui to Kailua on O'ahu. Kā'anapali Beach Resort. 808-661-3271. Hālau Kū Māna hō'ike Sat„ June 10, noon and 6 p.m. The students of Hālau Kū Māna Charter School perform their end-of-the-year hō'ike. $15. Kaimukl High School auditorium. 9888995. Songs of the Big lsland Sun„ June 1 1, 2 p.m. Clarence Waipa, director of Kamehameha Schools Alumni Chorus, lectures on the kaona of selected Hawai'i island songs. Free. Niaulani Campus, Volcano Art Center. 808-967-8222. Ka'ili Chun exhibit June 22 - July 30 In conjunction with the annual Artists of Hawai'i exhibit, Native Hawaiian sculptor Ka'ili Chun, the latest recipient of the Catherine E. B. Cox Award for Excellence in the Visual Arts, will display her new work in a solo show, titled "Nāu ka Wae (The Choice Belongs to You)." Honolulu Academy of Arts. 532-8701 Kī Hō'alu festival Sun„ June 25, 2-7 p.m. Some of Hawai'i's foremost slack key musicians - including Grammy and Nā Hōkū awards winners - will perform at this all-day event at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center. Free. A&B Amphitheater, Kahului. 808-242-7469. Hawaiian civic club fundraiser lū'au Sat„ July 8, noon-4 p.m. 'Ono food and entertainment by kumu hula 0'Brian Eselu to support two of Nānāikapono Hawaiian Civic Club's scholarships. $25 adults, $12.50 children 12 and under. Wai'anae District Park multi-purpose building. 668-8449.

NĀ HANANA • EVENTS

A royal procession opens the two-day festival at Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historic Park. Photo: Courtesy of Pu'uhonua o Hpnaunau National Historic Park.

Every June, the Kamehameha statue fronting Ali'iōlani Hale in Honolulu is draped in lei during a ceremony. Photo: KWO Archive