Festival in Hilo celebrates Queen Lili`uokalani’s 175th birthday

The annual Queen Lili`uokalani Festival — He Hali`a Aloha no Lili`uokalani — will be held in Lili`uokalani Gardens Saturday, September 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Queen Lili`uokalani was born on September 2, 1838, installed as Queen Monarch on January 29, 1891, and entered into eternal sleep on November 11, 1917.

“The daylong festival includes music, hula, arts, crafts, food, demonstrations, children’s games and cultural activities,” according to Roxcie L. Waltjen, Culture Education Administrator for the County of Hawaii Department of Parks and Recreation.

Sponsored by the County of Hawai`i, Queen Lili`uokalani Children’s Center, and Hawai`i Tropical Flower Council, the free festival also will feature local entertainment, taiko and Urasenke tea ceremony.

“Entertainment throughout the day will include Darlene Ahuna, Kukulu Kumuhana O Puna, Taishoji Taiko, Komakakino, Ulu’au, Waiakea Ukulele Band, Mark Yamanaka and Kahulanui.”

“A bountiful variety of local foods such as Hawaiian plate, Portuguese bean soup, kalua pig with cabbage, hot dogs, bread pudding, smoked meat bentos, chili, saimin, fried poi balls, Spam musubi, smoothies, shave ice, cotton candy, malasadas, popcorn , baked goods along with other delicious, mouth watering specialties  will be included on the day’s menu,” said Waltjen.

“Hula is the major focus of the Festival and each year,” Waltjen said. “Festivities are kicked off with a mass hula featuring more than 400 hula dancers scattered throughout the Park performing “E Lili’u E” and the Aloha Week Hula.  Dancers from throughout the State and Japan dance together symbolizing the Queen’s vision to share the Hawaiian culture with the rest of the world.  During this performance, more than 50,000 orchid blossoms rain from the skies above the park.

Mass hula will involve the following halau: Na Po`e A`o Hiwa, Halau Na Pua Uluhaimalama, Kamehameha Schools Performing Arts — Elementary, Hula Halau O Hilo Hanakahi, Hula Halau O Kahikilaulani, Ka Hula O Nawahine Nohopuukapu, Kamehameha Schools Performing Arts — High School, Ke Ola Pono No Na Kupuna, Halau Ha`akea O Akala, Halau Hula O Kawananakoa, Hula Halau Lei Hiwahiwa O Kuu Aloha, and Halao O Kawaila`ahia.

Parking is at a premium in the Banyan Drive area. Additional parking and shuttle service is available at the Ahfook-Chinen Civic Auditorium a short distance away.

In addition to the County of Hawaii, Queen Lili’uokalani Children’s Center, and the Hawaii Tropical Flowers Council, other partners in the event include Pacific Radio Group, Hilo Fire Extinguishers, and Blue Hawaiian Helicopters.

“The Culture & Education Division of Hawaii County invites all to come and celebrate the birthday of our last reigning monarch,” Waltjen said. “Come experience the culture, pageantry, history, demonstrations, hands-on activities and the unique blending of our Island people. We promise fun for the whole family!”

For more information, contact the Hawai`i County Culture and Education Office at 961-8706.

Friends of Lili`uokalani Gardens will be on hand to begin a survey of park users assisted by the East Hawaii Island Master Gardeners Association.