A proclamation inviting everyone to visit a museum, art gallery or historic site in Honolulu, will be presented to Betty Kam, president of the Hawaii Museums Association, during a 2:15 p.m. ceremony in the mayor's office.

"I welcome this opportunity to support Hawai'i's artists, performers, museums and galleries because our cultural assets must be promoted, enhanced and renewed to protect our cultural identity," Hannemann said in a news release.

"Our host culture's music and arts, fused with that of the many ethnic groups that migrated here, have blessed us with a unique contemporary Hawaiian culture that the city is committed to sustaining. With this proclamation, I encourage everyone to embrace the arts in October and make it an activity to enjoy and share with family and friends."

The City and County of Honolulu and Hawaii Museums Association are among hundreds of arts organizations in America to be a part of NAHM — the largest annual celebration of the arts and humanities in the nation.

Since 1993, this annual event has encouraged Americans to renew or begin a lifelong habit of active participation in the arts and humanities. The celebration grew out of National Arts Week, which was started in 1985 by the National Endowment for the Arts and Americans for the Arts.