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The Honolulu Advertiser

Updated at 12:16 p.m., Tuesday, September 2, 2003

165th anniversary of queen’s birth feted

Advertiser Staff

Several events honored the 165th anniversary of Queen Lili'uokalani’s birth today, including services at Mauna 'Ala — the Royal Mausoleum — and a play about Hawai'i’s last reigning monarch.

Offerings, or ho'okupu, of flowers and lei were accepted at the royal crypt. Gov. Linda Lingle and Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona joined descendants of Hawai'i’s royal families at the ceremony.

Ka Lei Maile Ali'i Hawaiian Civic Club will present a play titled "Ka Lei Maile Ali'i: The Queen’s Women" at 6 p.m. on the grounds of 'Iolani Palace at the Kanaina building.

Additional sponsors include the "The Living Nation" and Native Books/Na Mea Hawai'i.

Sponsors said the play is a re-enactment of a gathering of the queen’s supporters in Hilo, Hawai'i, in 1897 as outlined at the time in the San Francisco Call by reporter Miriam Michelson.

Those planning the play said this presentation honors both the queen and the women who stood with her throughout her life, including Emma Aima Nawahi, Abigail Kuaihelani Maipinepine Campbell and Kahalewai Cummins.

Later this month, the Friends of 'Iolani Palace is planning "The Grand Luau 2003," which also will honor the queen’s birthday, Sept. 2, 1838.

The Friends of 'Iolani Palace will present director emeritus Elia Long with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the lu'au, a fund-raiser for 'Iolani Palace, from 4 to 8 p.m. Sept. 28 on the palace grounds.