Festivities planned for Prince Kuhio's 136th
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Staff Writer
A parade through Waikiki this afternoon is a tribute to Prince Kuhio. And Monday is a state holiday — which means schools and state and city offices are closed — that honors his birthday.
But who was Prince Kuhio, and what is his legacy?
Consider this a brief history lesson — a recap of what's named in his honor — plus a roundup of how and where to celebrate his 136th birthday.
JONAH KUHIO KALANIANA'OLE BORN MARCH 26, 1871 AKA: Ke Ali'i Maka'ainana (Prince of the People) or the Citizen Prince Credited as: The father of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act to provide lands for Native Hawaiians Service: Hawai'i's second congressional delegate, serving 10 terms from 1903 to 1922 Little-known fact: Spent a year in jail after joining royalists in a failed attempt to overthrow the Republic of Hawai'i in 1895 Died: Jan. 7, 1922, of heart disease; his remains are at the Royal Mausoleum in Nu'uanu THE NAME GAME Prince Kuhio is all over the map: At the Prince Kuhio Federal Building, the Hilton Prince Kuhio hotel (previously a Radisson and an Outrigger, and home of MAC 24/7, the all-hours restaurant), Kuhio Beach, Kuhio Elementary School, Kuhio Park Terrace in Kalihi, Prince Kuhio Plaza in Hilo, Kuhio Park in Po'ipu, Kaua'i, among others. A movie theater, however, is long gone. Kalaniana'ole Highway, the thoroughfare in East Honolulu, also is named after Prince Kuhio, as is Kuhio Avenue in Waikiki, Kuhio Highway on Kaua'i and Kalaniana'ole Street in Hilo. HOLIDAY EVENTS Parade: 4 p.m. today on Kalakaua Avenue, from Fort DeRussy to Kapi'olani Park. Two-day festival: The Great Hawaiian Folk Life Festival, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and 10:30 a.m. tomorrow, at Kapi'olani Park bandstand. Today's slate, in order of appearance: Natalie Ai Kamau'u, Ho'okena, Tony Conjugacion, Pilioha, Pali, Maunalua, Michael Kaawa and Friends and Brother Noland; Sunday acts: Stephen Inglis, Al Kaai and Friends, Keale, Ledward Ka'apana, Sean Na'auao, Makana, Donald Kaulia & LT Smooth, Dennis and David Kamakahi, Kaukahi. Hula halau also perform. Free. Beach flicks: Sunset on the Beach is part of the folk life festival this month. "The Little Mermaid" screens tonight, "Shark Tale" tomorrow night. With food vendors. 5 to 10 p.m. at Queen's Surf Beach. Free. Hawaiian music: "Na Mele No Na Pua," from 2 to 3 p.m. today at the Fountain Stage at the new Waikiki Beachwalk project. Featuring the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame Serenaders. Music workshops: Sessions on slack-key guitar, 'ukulele, nose flute and ipu, 1:30 to 4 p.m. today at the Garden Lanai, Waikiki Beach Walk; no fee, but registration required (921-9731).
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Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.