8 Thursday, June 8, 2017 Island Beat Hawaii Tribune-Herald FESTIVAL From page 7 includes the presentation of Mamalahoa awards. “A rare glimpse into the past will happen at high noon,” says Mamalahoa Mamo Alii Desmon Haumea. “Rituals of the Kuahu will be in full view for anyone to observe and take part. Heiau o Mamalahoa’s annual celebration is a must-see opportunity and to be in attendance with na mamo and na alii. We are fortunate to live on the Big Island, the birthplace of Kamehameha the Great.” The 12 o’clock ceremony is done when there are no shadows on the ground. “This is when maximum mana may be had,” says event coordinator Pua Ishibashi. “We invite the royal societies such as Kaahumanu and Hale O Na Ali‘i to join us as we process over the walkway onto Mokuola. Once there, we address our guests and accept hookupu. We place any presented hookupu on a lele (place where offerings are presented) that we erect each year for this purpose.” Ishibashi says that after the ceremony, they acknowledge individuals from the community who have dedicated their time and energy to building the Kingdom and uplifting the people. The hookupu — an offering or gift given to a deity or chief and traditionally wrapped in ti leaf — should represent something that Kamehameha would have enjoyed or appreciated in life. “The belief here is that Kamehameha will enjoy the essence of these gifts,” Ishibashi explains. “As such, it is important to present the proper type of hookupu which may include taro, dried fish and dried awa. However, hookupu may also consist of a chant or dance dedicated to Kamehameha, again, something that he would have enjoyed in life and can still enjoy in spirit.” At 12:30 p.m., Hilo’s own Lito Arkangel performs, followed by kumu hula Paul K. Neves and Halau Ha‘a Kea o Kinohi at 1 p.m. Auntie Darlene Ahuna plays at 2 p.m., followed by kumu hula Mele Manuel and Halau Ke ‘Olu Makani o Mauna Loa at 3 p.m. “The main focus of the festival is honoring Kamehameha the Great, and Hawaiian music and hula halau play a part in that,” Ishibashi says. “We also try to invite craft vendors with madein Hawaii products and have great food.” The festival is part of the Kamehameha Day celebration that was established in 1871 as a holiday for the Kingdom of Hawaii. It honors Kamehameha the Great, who united the Hawaiian Islands in 1810. “We do this festival to honor Kamehameha and also to provide the people with a nice venue and environment to learn about and enjoy the Hawaiian culture,” Ishibashi says. Mamalahoa has been involved in the presentation of the Kamehameha Day celebration in Hilo since 1908. The festival has taken place on Mokuola, the Island of Life, since 1985. “The island of Mokuola is traditionally known for its powers of healing,” Ishibashi says. “Kamehameha was known to have visited the ancient heiau that once stood on this island and practiced cultural protocols.” In 2008, Mamalahoa revitalized Hilo’s Kamehameha Day celebration with an expanded and more culturally significant event. It is the largest annual event for the Royal Order of Kamehameha I, Mamalahoa. “We put a lot of time and energy into this festival and a lot of people are involved,” Ishibashi says. “I think people enjoy the family environment, the free venue, the entertainment (including song and dance by some of Hawaii’s best), and of course, the ono food. “We also have interactive events such as sharing of songs and cultural practitioner booths, and probably the most important and enjoyable aspect of the festival is the aloha spirit that is present.” Ishibashi says it is always their hope that the festival will encourage people to learn more about the Hawaiian culture and enjoy it. The Royal Order of Kamehameha I is the oldest Hawaiian organization and the last remaining institution of the Kingdom of Hawaii. It was King The Kamehameha Festival kicks off at 10:45 a.m. Sunday. Kamehameha V, the great-grandson of Kamehameha the Great, who established the Order of Kamehameha I in 1864, but the order was forced to exist as a secret underground society after the overthrow of Queen Lili‘uokalani. Today, the organization works to protect, preserve and perpetuate the culture, customs and traditions of the Hawaiian people. “I joined the order because I saw its potential to support the Hawaiian community and to take a leadership role in it,” Ishibashi says. “I truly believe that the organization serves as a tool to help move the people forward.” Kamehameha Day was established by royal decree on Dec. 22, 1871, by King Kamehameha V as a national holiday. The first celebration occurred June 11, 1872. Early on, festivities took place on each island and consisted of carnivals, fairs and foot, horse, velocipede (bike) and canoe races. Besides the annual presentation of the Kamehameha Festival, Mamalahoa is involved in various programs and initiatives designed to uplift the community and people, such as the establishment of the Aloha Aina Party (alohaainaparty.com), hoping to become a viable third political party option for Hawaii. “The Kingdom of Hawaii exists today and has been conducting business for over 150 years,” Haumea says. “I am honored to dress in full regalia and adorn myself with my mamo ali‘i cape, a ritual that has been celebrated for more than 150 years, and that is no easy task, especially today with everything that has been happening to the people and the Kingdom of Hawaii.” For more information about Mamalahoa, visit www.mamalahoa.org. For more details about the Kamehameha Festival, a drug-, alcohol- and smoke-free event, visit kamehamehafestival.org. “The kingdom honors our alii nui, Kamehameha I and all of the alii who came before us,” Ishibashi says. Email Katie Young Yamanaka at BIVHawaii@ gmail.com. On the way to Volcanoes National Park, Golf, Lava Flow, & Hot Ponds Get a Haircut. Grab a Pizza. Pick up your Perscription. Do the Laundry. Have a Coffee. Bring Lei or Roses. More! Kea‘au Shopping Center Courtesy photo
ib
To see the actual publication please follow the link above