From walking in the footsteps of Queen Liliʻuokalani to stepping inside dramatic moments surrounding the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom, communities across Hawaiʻi and beyond are invited to experience history in new ways during Hawaiian History Month 2026.
The month-long celebration features mele (songs), moʻolelo (stories), living-history performances, cultural experiences and community gatherings throughout September. The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Hawaiʻinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge and Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī Coalition are among the sponsors of the annual commemoration, which is centered around the September 2 birthday of Queen Liliʻuokalani, Hawaiʻi’s last reigning monarch.
“Hawaiian History Month creates opportunities for our community to experience our history as something living—not simply something we read about in a book,” said Malia Nobrega-Olivera, director of strategic partnerships at Hawaiʻinuiākea who is helping organize events. “By returning to the places where these events happened and learning through mele, moʻolelo and the voices of our community, we can better understand how our history continues to shape who we are today and recognize that we are all part of the moʻolelo that continues.”
Hawaiian History Month opened August 30 with the Eō E Liliʻu Concert at Kawaiahaʻo Church, featuring mele honoring the Queen’s musical legacy, including performances by the UH Mānoa Hawaiian Chorus.
List of events
Activities are planned throughout September including:
- September 2—Hauʻoli Lā Hānau e Liliʻuokalani: Free kamaʻāina (resident) tours of ʻIolani Palace, along with a teach-in and sing-along featuring Native Hawaiian leaders and students.
- September 5–6—Mai Poina: The Overthrow: A living-history walking tour around ʻIolani Palace recreating key events surrounding the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom.
- September 12—Hawaiʻi History Day Student Documentary Video Showcase: Student filmmakers will screen six short documentaries exploring topics in Hawaiʻi history at Aliʻiōlani Hale.
- September 19–20 and 26–27—The Beginning of a Garden: An immersive performance at Foster Botanical Garden exploring the people, plants and history that shaped one of Hawaiʻi’s oldest botanical gardens.
- September 21–22—Precious Garlands: Living-history performances at Hilo’s Lyman Museum share the stories of Queen Emma and Queen Liliʻuokalani.
- September 22—The Historic Roles of Kanaloa Kahoʻolawe: A panel at Mission Memorial Auditorium explores the many roles Kahoʻolawe has played throughout Hawaiian history.
Events continue throughout September on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island, Washington, D.C. and online, offering opportunities to experience Hawaiian history through living history, mele, moʻolelo, cultural experiences, community conversations and more.
For the full schedule visit HawaiianHistoryMonth.org
