Inouye tribute to include his favorite song

The city will host a celebration of the life and legacy of Daniel K. Inouye Saturday on what would have been the U.S. senator’s 89th birthday.

"A‘ole po‘ina ‘ole ia ‘oe (You will never be forgotten), Hawaii Remembers Sen. Daniel K. Inouye" will begin at 4 p.m. on the Civic Center grounds next to Honolulu Hale.

The senator’s widow, Irene Hirano Inouye, and his former chief of staff, Jennifer Goto Sabas, will speak. The band Hookena will play Inouye’s favorite song, "Kaimana Hila." All four Hawaii counties will pay tribute.

A kukui nut tree on the Civic Center grounds will be dedicated in Inouye’s honor with placement of a plaque.

Zippy’s is donating one of the senator’s favorite foods, chili with Spam musubi for those in attendance.

The event is free and open to the public.

The celebration will be televised live on Olelo Channel 49 from 4:30 to 6 p.m., hosted by Mahealani Richardson. The program will be rebroadcast at 8 p.m. Sept. 27 on Channel 55, 10 p.m. Sept. 30 on Channel 55, 2 p.m. Oct. 1 on Channel 49, and 8 a.m. Oct. 8 on Channel 49.

The event is sponsored by the Honolulu Mayor’s Office on Culture and the Arts.

Inouye, a Medal of Honor and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, died Dec. 17 after serving in Congress for more than 54 years. He was born on Sept. 7, 1924.