HONOLULU — In a free public ceremony on March 1, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand will formally dedicate the recently reconstructed Royal Sala Thai, or Thai pavilion, at the East-West Center, according to a news release from the center. The ceremony will also include the debut of an original classical-style dance titled "Dream Island," inspired by the princess and performed especially for the occasion by the Royal Thai Dancers and Musicians ensemble, as well as a special hula performance by Halau ika Wekiu.

The dedication ceremony is open to the public and will take place at 10:30 a.m., adjacent to Imin Center-Jefferson Hall, 1777 East-West Road. Admission is free, and parking is $3, payable at the parking kiosk as you enter the UH campus. For more information, call 808-944-7111, or visit http://www.eastwestcenter.org/events.

The dedication is one of several events being held in connection with Her Royal Highness' visit to Hawaii. On Feb. 29, the princess will be the guest of honor at the East-West Center's annual "International Affair" dinner, where she will accept the Center's Asia Pacific Community Building Award on behalf of her father, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, in recognition of His Majesty's dedicated work toward the welfare of the people of Thailand.

More than 3,000 Thai scholars, researchers, students and professionals in business, government, journalism and the arts have participated in East-West Center cooperative programs of research, study, training and dialogue since the Center was established in 1960.

About the Royal Sala Thai: The sala is a rich cultural symbol of Thailand, commonly used as shelter from rain and heat, and quiet conversation, study and contemplation.

During their visit to Hawaii in 1967, Their Majesties King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit dedicated a traditional royal sala as a gift to the East-West Center, in recognition of the importance of the Center to Thai-U.S. relations. One of only four such pavilions outside of Thailand to bear the king's own royal seal, the sala was named Pratinang Patiharn Tasanai, or "Throne of the Miracle Vision."