The 100th anniversary of the death of Queen Liliʻuokalani will be on November 11, 2017. The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Hawaiʻinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge is observing the centennial with an exhibit of her papers, songs and photographs at Hamilton Library in September and October, as well as the concert, Hoʻohāliʻaliʻa: Remembering Her Majesty, at Kennedy Theatre on Saturday, October 7.
“A century after her passing, this remarkable leader remains an exemplary symbol of ability, grace, ethics and courage,” said Interim Dean of Hawaiʻinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge Jon Osorio. “We have to take the time and remember her example and leadership that still inspires us today. Our hope is that this exhibit and concert will celebrate her life and legacy and introduce our beloved queen to those who do not know her.”
Four themes—mākaukau (ability), noʻeau (grace and talent), kū i ka pono (ethics) and wiwoʻole (courage) provide the structure for the centennial events.
The Hamilton Library Exhibit
The exhibit, which runs September 8 through October 15, is curated by Kamakakūokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies Librarian Keahiahi Long and Associate Professor April Drexel. It includes 32 different pieces from five different repositories—the Hawaiʻi State Archives, ʻIolani Palace, Hawaiʻi Pacific Collection of UH Mānoa’s Hamilton Library, Mission Houses Library, Ka Waihona A Ke Aloha—and includes:
- The Black Ribbon Dress—A reproduction of the black ribbon dress that the then-Princess Liliʻuokalani wore to Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Victoria’s accession to the throne. The dress is famously depicted in a portrait on display at ʻIolani Palace. The reproduction was commissioned by The Friends of ʻIolani Palace.
- Handwritten songsheets—The Queen was a prolific composer and the exhibit showcases reproductions of a selection of the Queen’s mele as written in her own hand. Courtesy of the Hawaiʻi State Archives.
The exhibit is free and open to the public.
Hoʻohāliʻaliʻa: Remembering Her Majesty
Kumu hula, artists and scholars will be paying tribute to the Queen through a special performance of mele, hula and haʻi ʻōlelo at Kennedy Theatre on Saturday, October 7.
Performers include Manu Boyd and Hālau O ke ʻAʻaliʻi Kū Makani; Nola Nahulu and the Honolulu Youth Opera Chorus: The Cantilena and Gioventu Musicale Ensembles; the UH Mānoa Hawaiian Chorus; the Kawaiolaonapūkanileo Vocal Ensemble; Hālau ka Lā ʻŌnohi Mai o Haʻehaʻe; and Vicky Holt Takamine and Hālau Pua Aliʻi ʻIlima.
General admission ticket is $50. A $120 VIP package includes special seating, a hosted reception and wine tasting.
All proceeds will fund scholarships for Native Hawaiian students attending UH Mānoa.
For more information, please visit the Hoʻohāliʻaliʻa: Remembering Her Majesty website.
