Posted on: Saturday, January 15, 2005
Hawai'i State Day observed
Advertiser Staff
The Washington National Cathedral audience heard Native Hawaiian chants and prayers last Sunday when Hawai'i State Day began with the blowing of a conch shell, an oli and the reading of Scriptures by Sen. Dan Inouye.
Lloyd Johnson • Washington National Cathedral Several readings were done in Hawaiian, then English. Visitors wore lei and poet/author Kathleen Norris gave a sermon that discussed the Islands' many cultures and struggles with its multiple identities.
The Rt. Rev. S.O. Chang, the Episcopal bishop of Hawai'i, was guest celebrant, and the Very Rev. Dr. Ann E. P. McElligott, dean of St. Andrew's Episcopal Cathedral, translated the day's readings into Hawaiian for the service.
Richard Kua'ana of St. Andrew's Cathedral, presented the service-opening chant in Hawaiian.
After the service, the National Cathedral Association sponsored a reception.
"In our history, the first written language in Hawai'i was brought about because of the missionaries and, with it, the first Hawaiian hymnal and the first Hawaiian dictionary," Inouye said.
Richard Kua'ana of St. Andrew's Cathedral intoned an oli to open the service.
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