Oli, mele mark historic Hawaiian History celebration

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Kapolei Hale came alive with the sound of oli (chant) and mele (song) as Hawaiʻi launched its first officially recognized Hawaiian History Month. The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa's Hawaiʻinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge, Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī Coalition and the City and County of Honolulu's Mayor's Office of Culture and the Arts (MOCA), joined together to welcome the community into a month-long celebration of history, culture and resilience rooted in the legacy of Queen Liliʻuokalani.

That legacy is now written into law. In June, Gov. Josh Green signed Act 167, formally designating September as Hawaiian History Month, with its observance anchored around the Queen's birthday on September 2.

"Hawaiian history is not something in the past, it is living, breathing and shaping the way we care for one another today," said Jonathan Kay Kamakawiwoʻole Osorio, dean of UH Mānoa's Hawaiʻinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge. "At Hawaiʻinuiākea, it is our kuleana (responsibility) to ensure that Hawaiian history is taught and conveyed responsibly, authentically and with aloha for our people."

Among those in attendance were members of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, longtime champions who first introduced the idea of Hawaiian History Month and have steadfastly advocated for its recognition over decades.

"By designating September as Hawaiian History Month, the State has given us space to reflect and to celebrate," said Soulee Stroud, Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī Coalition organizer. "But more than that, it reminds us of our kuleana to carry forward the values Queen Liliʻuokalani stood for-aloha, resilience and hope for her people."

Art, culture front and center

The opening festivities were held against the striking backdrop of the historic ʻUmeke Lāʻau (Culture Medicine), a 22-foot-wide, 8-foot-tall wooden art piece now on display at Kapolei Hale. Created by Native Hawaiian artist Meleanna Aluli Meyer in collaboration with Honolulu Community College carpentry students and UH Mānoa art and theatre faculty and students, the ʻUmeke Lāʻau serves as a living monument of healing and reflection.

"The City and County of Honolulu's job isn't just services, it's also making sure Hawaiian culture is valued, visible and accessible," said Jennifer Santos, executive director of MOCA. "Honolulu Hale and Kapolei Hale are more than places to do business, they're part of the heartbeat of our community, carrying culture, history and art for everyone who walks through these doors."

In celebration of Hawaiian History Month, MOCA will present multimedia programming at Kapolei Hale and Mission Memorial Auditorium, along with an in-person talk story session featuring an intergenerational panel of Native Hawaiian voices from across Oʻahu's six moku (districts).

Event highlights (All events are free and open to the public.)

September 6 -Free Palace Tours and Memory Walk, ʻIolani Palace
Walk in remembrance and enjoy free admission to Hawaiʻi's historic seat of monarchy.

September 6, 7 and 13 -Mai Poina: The Overthrow Walking Tours, ʻIolani Palace
Experience history where it happened. These dramatic walking tours, originally created in 1993 by playwright Victoria Nalani Kneubuhl, recreate the pivotal days of January 1893 and illuminate untold stories of the Hawaiian Kingdom's overthrow.

September 13 -Student Film Showcase, Aliʻiōlani Hale
View six original short films produced by Hawaiʻi's student filmmakers for Hawaiian History Day.

September 14 -The Kumulipo Experience, ʻIolani Palace
Witness a sacred cultural offering at dusk as Nā Kumu Hula (Master of hula) Kamuela Chun, Kalani Akana, Mehana Hind, Kalei Nuʻuhiwa and Kaponoʻai Molitau and their hālau (hula school) perform the Kumulipo, Hawaiʻi's cosmogonic genealogy chant, in honor of Queen Liliʻuokalani.

September 17 and 19 -Kahiki: Native Hawaiians Abroad

• September 17- Virtual program from San Diego, CA
• September 19- Live and virtual program from Iosepa, Utah

September 26 -Holoholo Honolulu: Historic Health Sites Tour
Ride through Honolulu on a double-decker bus and discover stories of health, community and aloha.

September 27 -Hoʻōla: History of Hawaiian Health, Virtual Presentation
Explore Hawaiʻi's historic health responses and resilience.

For the full schedule, visit HawaiianHistoryMonth.org.