Posted on: Friday, June 9, 2006
Kamehameha festivities start with lei
By Robert Shikina
Advertiser Staff Writer
|
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Today The 63rd annual decoration of King Kamehameha's statue in the downtown Honolulu Civic Center will kick off the celebration. Beginning at 8 a.m., the 'Ahahui Ka'ahumanu Society and community members will string 25,000 plumeria blossoms into 13-foot lei for the statue. The Royal Hawaiian Band will provide music at 3:30 and the King Kamehameha statue will be adorned with lei at 4 p.m. Other attendees will be a man portraying King Kamehameha, the pa'u queen, and five pa'u princesses. Halau Olana will perform hula. Events are free and open to the public. Tomorrow Na Hana No'eau O Ka Pakipaki — "artisans of the Pacific" — cultural festival at Queen Kapi'olani Park will showcase Hawaiian games, demonstrations and cultural activities from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The 90th annual King Kamehameha Floral Parade, starting at 9:30 a.m., will begin at the King and Richards streets intersection. The 2 1/2-hour parade will include floats, pa'u riders, marching bands and Kamehameha Schools cheerleaders.It will travel on King Street, turn makai on Punchbowl, then diamondhead on Ala Moana, continue down Kalakaua Avenue, onto Diamond Head and end at Kapi'olani Park. Events are free and open to the public. June 17 Parades on Kaua'i and Maui along with a ho'olaulea, craft booths, and entertainers. June 23 The 33rd annual King Kamehameha Hula Competition opens at Blaisdell Arena. Competition categories will include kahiko (traditional), 'auana (modern), kupuna wahine (women's chant), and combined male and female hula. From 6 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $8.50, $10 and $12 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com. June 24 Conclusion of 33rd annual King Kamehameha Hula Competition, 1 to 8 p.m. at Blaisdell Arena. Tickets are $8.50, $10 and $12 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster. For more information, contact the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission at 586-0333.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Celebrations for the 134th observance of King Kamehameha Day will kick off today and will include events such as tomorrow's 90th annual floral parade in Honolulu and observances across the state.
The parade, which begins in downtown Honolulu, will culminate with a cultural celebration at Kapi'olani Park.
This year's celebration, themed "Mo'olelo Aloha," or "Stories of Love," will include parades June 17 on Maui and Kaua'i and conclude June 23-24 with the 33rd annual King Kamehameha Hula Competition on O'ahu.
The musical trio Makaha Sons will be recognized as the grand marshals of O'ahu's parade for their perseverance in honoring Hawaiian traditions. The group will be featured on a float and lead the parade.
"Through their music we've been able to perpetuate Hawaiian culture internationally and locally," said B.J. Allen, arts program specialist for the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission. "Because of their music, our culture and language is perpetuated ... just keeping the tradition alive."
Also taking part in the parade will be high school bands from Missouri, the Royal Hawaiian Band, Hawai'i Air National Guard Royal Guard, Kamehameha Schools cheerleaders and members of the Polynesian Cultural Center.
There has been a small decline in the number of parade participants because of the rising costs for horse rentals, equipment and places to build floats, but Allen said the parade has managed well for the past 10 years without state money.
"It's pretty amazing," she said. "This event has continued without appropriated funds. In the past (before 1995), it was provided."
