Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 30, Number 6, 1 June 2013 — Royal society on Maui to celebrate 90 years [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Royal society on Maui to celebrate 90 years

By Kekoa Enomoīo The 90th anniversary eonvention of the 'Ahahui Ka'ahumanu in Wailuku will unfold in late summer on the birth isle of Ka'ahumanu Ali'i, favorite wife of Kamehameha the Great. "I think the convention of our sisterhood will help develop the bonding of our ladies," event cochairwoman Carol Lee Kamekona said of more than 500 'ahahui members in nine chapters statewide. The convention is open to all 'ahahui members statewide and their guests. In 1864, Princess Victoria Kamāmalu founded the benevolent society for Hawaiian women 18 and older, to provide relief to the elderly and ill. The Wailuku chapter began July 26, 1923,just5-l/2yearsafterQueen Lili'uokalani's death. Charter officers were president Sarah Buck, vice president Mary Rose, treasurer Aoe Holstein, secretary Keaholoa Ross, assistant Secretary Hattie K. Smythe and auditor Margaret Kinney. Surnames of kama'āina Maui families eeho those of charter board members: Mrs. Sam Alo, Ellen Copp, Mrs. George Kaholokai, Annie Kaumeheiwa, Annie Lake and Becky Mountcastle. The Maui News reported that firstyear membership more than tripled to 159 from 49 by mid-1924. In 1927, Princess Abigail Wahi'ika'ahu'ula Campbell Kawānanakoa, Honolulu head of 'Ahahui Ka'ahumanu, urged that a plaque be placed to acknowledge Ka'ahumanu's Hāna birth site. The Maui News said a plaque eventually was mounted in October 1946 "near the lighthouse that marks the birthplaee of Queen Ka'ahumanu." "I feel fortunate I am a part of the 'ahahui during this time, when we ean celebrate, enlighten, educate and provide 'ike (knowledge) to our younger members, who only know

of her from a book that they've read," Kamekona said, referring to the queen's life. "They may not have had an opportunity to go to the places, where she affected many things on the island," said Kamekona, who is pelekikena, or president, of the Wailuku chapter. The convention will offer an arts and crafts sale from 1 to 6 p.m., and a poi-bowl dinner at 5 p.m. on Aug. 2. Other activities include an Aug. 3 visit to Hāna Bay adjacent to Ka'ahumanu's birthplace in a cave at Pu'u Ka'uiki. Besides the Hāna tour, Aug. 3 will feature a Lahaina tour from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., including Waiola Church Cemetery, burial site of Queen Keōpūolani and of King Kaumuali'i of Kaua'i, workshops (Job's-tear bracelet, lauhala brooch, lomilomi) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and a 5 p.m.

country and western dinner. The convention will eulminate Aug. 4 with 9 a.m. services at the 181-year-old landmark Ka'ahumanu Church, followed by brunch on the church grounds. Before her death in 1832, Queen Ka'ahumanu had traveled to Maui and requested the church be named for her, church Kahu Wayne Higa has said. Devoutly religious, Ka'ahumanu had helped to establish Christianity in Hawai'i. At the church, 90th-anniver-sary conventioneers of 'Ahahui Ka'ahumanu will gather in their signature regalia of hlaek mu'umu'u, hat, gloves and shoes, plus goldcolored lei hulu, or feather neek garland. "For us to be around 90 years says something about the queen and her legacy, in that she really cared for her people and their education, whieh all of our sister chapters are trying to do," Kamekona said, referring to 'ahahui initiatives, such as Wailuku chapter's "annual scholarships to qualifiedrecipients." ■

'Ahahui Ka'ahumanu

WHAĪ: 90th anniversary celebration convention of the Wailuku chapter (open to all 'Ahahui Ka'ahumanu members statewide) WHEN: Aug. 2 to 4 WHERE: Maui Beach Hotel C0ST: Mail completed registration forms and eheek for $175 (includes dinners, brunch, tour, workshop) payableto: 'Ahahui Ka'ahumanu Chapter IV Wailuku, P.O. Box 6030, Kahului, Hl 96733. Deadline is June 30; guests pay $20 to $40 perdinner/brunch event. INF0: Download registration materials at website ahahuikaahumanuchapter4. weebly.com, or eall event co-chairwomen Carol Lee Kamekona at (808) 264-9385 or Kathy Texeira at (808) 264-6011.

'Ahahui Ka'ahumanu Wailuku chapter secretary Napua Ripani, left, president Carol Lee Kamekona, vice president Kathy Texeira and treasurer Marilyn Kusunoki show a portrait of Queen Ka'ahumanu in the entry of the monarch's namesake church. The Wailuku chapter will host the society's 90th-anniver-sary convention starting Aug. 2. - Courtesy: Paulo Mendes