'ALEMANAKA - CALENDAR

Malaki 2009

Leimomi Clark arranges maile on a portrait of the Citizen Prince, Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole, at the 2008 Holokū Ball. - Photo: Blaine Fergerstrom

Honoring Kūhiō

MARCH 26 marks the birth date of Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole, whose illustrious career of service to Kanaka Maoli is celebrated with monthlong festivities leading up to the signature Holokū Ball in April. The beloved Citizen Prince left his mark in many ways still felt today, but he is best remembered for establishing the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, signed into law in 1921.

Admirers have long honored Kūhiō's legacy by continuing the work he started in 1917 with the establishment of the Hawaiian Civic Club of Honolulu, whose success spawned similar clubs throughout Hawai'i and the U.S. continent. In 2009, despite budget shortfalls, Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs and its nonprofit Hawai'i Maoli have worked diligently to ensure that the Prince's birthday month will be observed in style. A special tip of the haku lei goes out to AHCC volunteer Wayne Kaho'onei Panoke for his work in organizing many of this year's events. Here are some highlights. For a complete list of O'ahu events, visit hawaiimaoli.org or aohcc.org.

O'ahu

NATIVE HAWAIIAN HEALTH FESTIVAL/HŌ'IKE'IKE
Sun. March 8, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Offers screenings, speakers on health issues, traditional foods and workshops in Hawaiian cultural practices, including lomilomi. Free. Bishop Museum, Great Lawn.

PUALEILANI FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
Sat., March 14, noon-6 p.m.
Fit-for-a-prince performances by Native Hawaiian artists, hula dancers, singers and choral groups, plus demonstrations of Native Hawaiian arts and crafts, and plenty of items for sale by local artisans. Free. Royal Hawaiian Center. hawaiimaoli.org or 224-8068.

STEP OUT: WALK TO FIGHT DIABETES
Sat., March 21, 7-10 a.m.
American Diabetes Association's walk in the park is in step with Kūhiō's vision of Hawaiian progress and with ADA's ongoing efforts to prevent a disease that affects many Native Hawaiians. Free. Kapi'olani Park Bandstand.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE
Thurs., March 26, 9-10 a.m.
Features performances by members of Hawaiian Civic Clubs at Mauna'ala, the royal mausoleum. Public is welcome to attend and is asked to please be mindful of the solemn nature of the ceremonial protocol. hawaiimaoli.org or 224-8068.

HO'OLAULE'A
Sat., March 28, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Features food, fun, entertainment, cultural demonstrations and craft booths. Kapi'olani Park. Followed by a 4 p.m. parade down Kalākaua Avenue and a 6 p.m. concert at Kapi'olani Park.

HAWAIIAN CIVIC CLUB OF HONOLULU HOLOKŪ BALL
Sat., April 4, 5-10 p.m.
Renowned as the civic club's signature scholarship fundraiser, the Holokū Ball also serves as a showcase of social elegance. Holokū are not easy to come by these days, so any kind of regal wear is appropriate. Just remember to bring along your very own elegant bearing and be ready to hang loose with "chalangalang" music, great food, silent auction plus special tributes to outstanding Hawaiian individuals and organizations. Royal Hawaiian Hotel, Monarch Room. $150, with group table purchases available. hcchonolulu.org or 455-4949.

Kaua'i

CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS
Sun.-Sun., March 22 to 29
Kaua'i honors its hometown Prince with weeklong festivities at the Grand Hyatt Kaua'i Resort and Spa and other sites through dance, chant and offering of ho'okupu. Also features a fashion show by Nake'u Awai, an evening concert by Ledward Kaapana, Mike Kaawa and Kaukahi, and the Prince Kūhiō Celebration Lū'au. Fees for lū'au, all other events free. princekuhio.wetpaint.com or call 808-240-6369.

PKamehameha students showcase their talents onstage in 'Aida.' - Photo: Courtesy of Kamehameha Schools

KAMEHAMEHA STUDENTS PERFORM AIDA
March 6, 7, 13, 14 at 7 p.m.; March 8 and 15 at 2 p.m.
Kamehameha Schools' Kapālama Performing Arts Department kicks out the jams to entertain with this Tony Award-winning rock musical extravaganza about a royal romantic triangle. $5. Tickets available at the door. Kamehameha Schools Kapālama, High School, Ruth Ke'elikōlani Auditorium. Ticket information, 842-8356.

HAWAIIAN FAMILY AFFAIR
Sat., March 14, 9 a.m.-3p.m.
Planned as an all-'ohana crowd-pleaser, this 18th annual fair combines keiki games, health screenings, contests, native crafts, and live entertainment by Cyril Pahinui, Waiākea 'Ukulele Band, Ke Ola Pono No Nā Kūpuna and more. Free. University of Hawai'i at Hilo, Campus Center Plaza. Visit npn.uhh.hawaii.edu and click on the UH Hilo link on left, or call 808-974-7678.

HOME: INSIDE & OUT
Sun., March 15, 5 p.m.
As part of the Local Voices Series, this performance in hula, music and narration explores identity differences among three young Hawaiians born and raised on separate islands. Through a series of vignettes, connections to home in the deepest sense of belonging come alive. Featuring Lono Padilla of Maui, Robert Ke'ano Ka'upu of Hawai'i Island, and Chadwick Pang of O'ahu. Maui Arts and Cultural Center, McCoy Studio Theatre. 
$20, half-price for those under 18. mauiarts.org or 808-242-7469.

KALO FESTIVAL
Tues., March 24, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Come celebrate Native Hawaiian traditions of the taro plant through sharing of food, hands-on demonstrations, games, educational exhibits, recipes, pono growing techniques, art, hula and mele. Event organizers hope to set a record for the most ku'i kalo, or taro pounding, ub a single event. So don't forget your papa ku'i 'ai and pōhaku ku'i 'ai. Free. State Capitol Rotunda. 349-4324.

PACIFIC TRADITIONS, LIVE FROM THE LAWN
Fri., April 3, 6-9 p.m.
Enjoy music and dance from across the islands of Polynesia, including Hawai'i, Tokelau, Tahiti, Samoa, Cook Islands and Aotearoa, and a special performance by Peter Apo's Rainbow Nation Band. Free. Lawn of the Hawai'i State Art Museum. hawaii.gov/sfca.