Hawaiian food, artisanal crafts, cultural practitioners, music and dance will fill Kapiolani Park before, during and after a parade honoring Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole on Saturday.
2017 Prince Kuhio Commemoration Parade and Festival
Presented by the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs
When: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday
Where: Kalakaua Avenue and Saratoga Road to Kapiolani Park
Festival is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Kapiolani Park Bandstand
Note: Free admission
Info.: aohcc.org/index.php/en
The Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs gathers each year to honor the Hawaiian monarch, who is credited with establishing the Hawaiian civic club movement, with a parade down Kalakaua Avenue starting at Saratoga Road, winding up at Queen Kapiolani Park.
Prince Kuhio was a member of Queen Liliuokalani’s Cabinet during the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy, and participated in attempts to bring it back to power. He served a year in prison for those efforts, and after his release left the islands, eventually joining the British army in the Boer Wars in South Africa. Upon his return to Hawaii, he continued to advocate for Hawaiians, representing Hawaii in the U.S. Congress and supporting the Hawaiian Homestead Act of 1920.
Festivities that follow at the park are free to attend, though having cash on hand will help to ensure a full belly and the ability to purchase made-in-Hawaii gifts.
Several Hawaiian civic clubs will be setting up food booths, while others will offer Hawaiian craft items for sale, and cultural practitioners will be on hand to educate attendees in the old ways.
Primarily Hawaiian food will be served, said Lu Ann Faborito, parade chairwoman, adding that some booths will be offering local favorites such as teriyaki beef, burgers and other dishes, with prices ranging from $6 to $10, she said.
Native Hawaiian organizations and businesses in addition to the civic clubs will participate in the parade, expected to have some 800 participants.
The Royal Guard, from the Hawaii Air National Guard; the Royal Order of Kamehameha I; the Royal Hawaiian Band; Hawaiian civic clubs from around the islands, pa‘u units, the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame and many others will be represented in the parade. It begins at 10 a.m. and ends at noon, with the influx of parade participants sure to swell the crowd at the celebration in the park.
With Hawaiian entertainment scheduled to take place all day, the festival will wrap up at 3 p.m.
