Hawaiian societies march with tradition
Advertiser Staff
In a traditional ceremony that took place under threatening skies and periodic rain, King Kamehameha I was remembered yesterday as a model of leadership with a sound spiritual foundation.
Advertiser Staff
"Kamehameha was an exceptional leader who cherished friends and respected counsel," said Carol Silva, a Hawaiian author and historian, guest speaker in the colorful ceremony in front of the king's statue at Ali'iolani Hale.
Participants in yesterday's ceremony included the Daughters and Sons of Hawaiian Warriors, the Royal Order of Kamehameha I, Na Wahine Hui 'O Kamehameha, Hale O Na Ali'i and 'Ahahui Ka'ahumanu. The ceremony at Ali'iolani Hale centered on the lei-draped statue of Kamehameha I, right.
About 60 members of Hawaiian societies, including a few children, participated in the ceremony on the King Kamehameha Day holiday.
EiRayna Adams, kuhina nui of the sponsoring Daughters and Sons of the Hawaiian Warriors, Mamakakaua, delivered comments in Hawaiian and later said that Kamehameha "came to power because of obedience; he earned support because he listened to his elders. Nonetheless, he was a warrior — and perhaps, it was destined."
The participating societies — Royal Order of Kamehameha I, Na Wahine Hui 'O Kamehameha, 'Ahahui Ka'ahumanu and Hale O Na Ali'i — huddled and held hands for a prayer, or pule, in the foyer of Ali'iolani Hale. Then they marched toward and around the king's statue, still draped in lei from the pre-parade ceremony last week.
Society representatives presented ceremonial gifts, or ho'okupu, of a maile lei, a fern lei and a cluster of floral lei at the foot of the Kamehameha statue, a ritual begun on June 11, 1921.
"I come every year to shoot pictures," said Alika Gellert, armed with camera and umbrella.
"I know EiRayna, so I do it for them."
