Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 31, Number 8, 1 August 2014 — ʻOnipaʻa celebration to honor Liliʻuokalani's birthday [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ʻOnipaʻa celebration to honor Liliʻuokalani's birthday

By Lurline Wailana McGregor I nipa'a, a daylong * ī Acelebration of I I entertainment and % M educational events to commemorate Queen Lili'uokalani's birthday, will be held Sunday, Aug. 3 1 on the grounds of 'Iolani Palaee. Sponsored by the Hawai'i Pono'I Coalition, a group of Native Hawai-ian-serving organizations that started 'Onipa'a in 2007 to educate the broader community about the events that led to the overthrow of the Hawaiian government, it has No formal panel discussions are planned, but civil dialogue on Hawaiian governance is encouraged among attendees and exhibitors, organizer says. become an annual event. A series of displays, events and entertainment will be capped off by the popular Mai Poina Walking Tour, a dramatic presentation retracing several pivotal days in Hawai'i's history leading up to the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy. The tour, whose name echoes the queen's words, "Don't Forget," will be performed at or near the locations where the historic events happened. The tours will begin every 20 minutes from 4 to 5 p.m. Additional Mai Poina Walking Tours are scheduled for Sept. 1, 6 and 7 from 4 to 5 p.m. Reservations are required. In the past, Native Hawaiian organizations, including service agencies and nationhood groups, have had individual booths where attendees could talk with representatives of individual organizations to learn more about them. This year, all the groups will be under one big tent, where they ean hear one other's discussions. There are

no formal panel discussions scheduled, but organizers hope there will be discussions between exibitors and attendees as well as between exhibitors. "With the heightened discussion in the Hawaiian community about federal recognition and nation

building, this year's 'Onipa'a event will offer an especially important opportunity for Hawaiians to eome together in a respectful environment to kūkākūkā (discuss) face-to-face about Queen Lili'uokalani's leadership as a way to look to the future," says Soulee Lester Kealohaonālani Stroud, overall project manager of 'Onipa'a. "Because everyone who participates is there to show respect to the queen and honor her as a leader of justice, we are hopeful that individuals and organizations will respect the dignity of the event and engage in civil dialogue. Above all, the main purpose of 'Onipa'a is to honor the queen." In addition to the large tent, people ean gather under cultural and keiki tents. "The idea is to bring people together, whether it's to dis-

cuss our future governance, to learn our history or to enjoy the music," Stroud explains. Throughout the day, there will be events taking plaee on a main stage, starting with a performance by the Royal Hawaiian Band. There will be other dramatic performances in addition to the Mai Poina Walking Tours, including a re-enactment of an 1897 Hilo meeting on the anti-annexation petition, Ka Lei Maile Ali'i - Tlie Queen 's Women, and readings of the queen's words. The day will end with the walking tours. Native Hawaiian playwright Victoria Nalani Kneuhuhl wrote the Mai Poina script for the first 'Onipa'a event in 2007. She had written scripts for theatrical performances for both the 1993 centennial event at 'Iolani Palaee

as well as the first 'Onipa'a gathering, both of whieh were highly acclaimed and seen by thousands of people. The walking tours were filled to capacity in 2007, with more than 1,300 attendees, andhave been performed every year since as part of 'Onipa'a. Discussions with Native Hawaiian scholars are included at the end of eaeh tour to discuss facts of the overthrow with anyone who wants to stay and learn more history. "The walking tours are kept to small groups to fully engage the onlookers," says Stroud. "Seeing actors who are dressed in period costumes, speaking in a first-person voice and especially being on the same spot that these events occurred creates a deeper understanding of how our government was illegally taken over. The truth about what happened is important to members of our own community, including Native Hawaiians and loeal people as well as visitors, especially as we engage in discussions about where we go from here." The 'Onipa'a celebration began in 2007 amid a series of challenges to Hawaiian entitlements, including Arakaki v. Lingle, whieh was dismissed in federal court, ehallenging the constitutionality of government programs benefiting Native Hawaiians. Leaders of 12 Native Hawaiian service organizations - including Alu Like ine., the Native Hawaiian Bar Association, OHA and Kamehameha Schools, eame together and formed the Hawai'i Pono'I Coalition to educate residents and visitors about the true history of Hawai'i and its people. Since then, the coalition has held annual 'Onipa'a celebrations and other educational events, including the drama Annexation Debate in the State Judiciary History Center courtroom. Displays of legally significant documents and photographs are also featured as part of the events. ■

Lwīine Waūana McGregor is a writer, filmmaker and author of Between the Deep Blue Sea and Me.

'Onipa'a Celebration

Where: 'lolani Palaee grounds When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 31 Admission: Free (admission to 'lolani Palaee is also free) lnfo or walking tour reservations: 534-8880 or www. hawaiiponoi.info SCHEDULE > 9:45 a.m. Weleome by emcees Kainoa Daines and Mehanaokala Hind > 10 a.m. Royal Hawaiian Band >11 a.m. Hula by Hālau Kū Māna charterschool students underthe direction of Kumu Kawika Mersberg >11:20 a.m. Master slack key guitarist George Kahumoku Jr. >11:45 a.m. Procession of royal societies from the steps of 'lolani Palaee > Noon lnterfaith service, He Lei He Aloha Prayer Service/ Reflection by Nā Kahu, with musical performance by choral director Nola Nahulu and eeumenieal choir Nā Pua 0 Lili'uokalani >1:30 p.m. Jerry Santos and Olomana performs a unique blend of traditional and contemporary music styles > 2:30 p.m. Ku'uipo Kumukahi, "The Sweetheart of Hawaiian Music," accompanied bythe Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame Serenaders and Hālau Hawai'i > 3:30 p.m. Tribute to Lili'uokalani in chant fronting the steps of 'lolani Palaee >4, 4:20, 4:40 and 5 p.m. Mai Poina Walking Tour

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Actress Nyla Fujii-Babb, portraying Queen Lili'uokalani during a Mai Poina Walking Tour in 2010, reassured the audience that she was doing everything in her power to restore the rights and dignity of her subjects. - KW0 File/Courtesy: Sammie Choy

1 At the Mai Poina I Walking Tour I in 201 0, actor i Charles Timtim ! explained the 1 queen's actions to I the audience as I Hina Kneuhuhl, left, portraying an I interpreter, looked on. - KW0 File/ Courtesy: Sammie Choy