Hawaiian culture, food highlight Summer Palace celebration

A day of Hawaiian culture, music, dance, food and dishes of many flavors will unfurl Saturday as the Daughters of Hawaii celebrate the 41st annual Day at Queen Emma Summer Palace.

Hawaiian food and local favorites such as chicken and teri burgers are staples of the event, as are the jams, jellies and baked goods prepared by the Daughters of Hawaii.

“They are big sellers,” said Inger Hojfeldt, a “calabash cousin” and liaison for the Daughters.

Daughters of Hawaii members trace their Hawaiian lineage back to 1880 or earlier. Hojfeldt explained that she doesn’t have the lineage, but she does have a passion for the organization and its mission.

Food choices include creations by Le Crepe Cafe and Il Gelato Hawaii. The Hawaii Job Corps Center will offer poke bowls and salads. “The young people come and help us every year with setup, and in return they sell food,” Hojfeldt said.

Local artisans also will offer their wares and handmade goods. Tutu’s Attic will offer its own brand of treasures. Kupuna have been gathering daily to prepare haku lei.

The price of admission includes tours of the palace and demonstrations of poi pounding, lau hala weaving, kapa making and ohe kapala, or stamping on kapa with bamboo carved with a design.

Musical entertainment includes performances by the Royal Hawaiian Band, Punahou Alumni Glee Club, Naluhoe, Weldon Kekauoha, Jerry Santos and Kualoa.

Hula will be a huge part of a day. Kumu hula Kaha‘i Topolinski’s Halau Ka Pa Hula Hawai‘i will perform, as will Halau Hula Ka Lehua Tuahine with kumu hula Kailihiwa Vaughan, and kumu hula Pohai Souza’s Halau Hula Kamamolikolehua.

The event is the Daughters’ big event of the year, during which raises funds for its main work of perpetuating what it calls the memory and spirit of old Hawaii — historic facts and the nomenclature and correct pronunciation of the Hawaiian language. The organization maintains the Queen Emma Summer Palace, as well as Hulihee Palace on Hawaii island and the birthplace of King Kamehameha III in Keauhou.

“We call it a friend- and fundraiser,” Hojfeldt said. “It’s a community event where all the membership gets together and participates in this wonderful day of Hawaiian entertainment.”

On the day of the event in Nuuanu, palace parking fills up quickly, but nearby parking is free for attendees at the Queen Emma Preschool, International Church of Oahu, North Honolulu Church of Tenrikyo, St. Stephen Catholic Church and Daijingu Temple of Hawaii.