Hues of purple drape the Queen Liliʻuokalani Center for Student Services (QLCSS) building at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in honor of her majesty’s 184th lā hānau (birthday) this Friday, September 2.
Born at her family home in Pūowaina, Oʻahu, Lydia Liliʻu Loloku Walania Wewehi Kamakaʻeha would go on to become the last monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi. Her perseverance through some of Hawaiʻi’s most challenging chapters are as legendary as her mele (song) compositions such as Aloha ʻOe and Queen’s Jubilee.
UH Mānoa Native Hawaiian Student Services (NHSS) and Student Equity, Excellence, and Diversity (SEED) invite the campus community to celebrate her legacy at QLCSS, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Traditional protocol and open house experiences for haumāna (students) are planned. Organizers want students to get familiar with support services offered at QLCSS to help support and enhance their college experiences. Students who visit participating offices will be entered to win Apple earbuds, UH Bookstore gift cards and more.
The four-story building is named in honor of the Queen who is widely respected for being a strong motivating factor in the widespread emergence of Hawaiian culture and values.
Festivities will also feature a lei presentation at ʻahu o Kamakaʻeha, an altar fronting the QLCSS building. NHSS will host free lei workshops at its QLCSS 113 location on Thursday, September 1, 12–2:30 p.m. and Friday, September 2, 2–4:30 p.m. Participants will learn different lei making styles and techniques. All materials will be provided, first come first served.
Free T-shirt screen printing will also be available on Friday 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Screen printing will feature an illustration of Queen Liliʻuokalani. NHSS asks participants to bring no more than two shirts per person. Items can be dropped off starting at 10 a.m. Email questions to Allyson Nuesca Franco, akfranco@hawaii.edu.
