Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 3, Number 4, 1 April 1986 — Memories of Prince Kuhio Era [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Memories of Prince Kuhio Era

Nostalgic Moments Recalled at Ho'ike'ike

Ho'ike'ike on the Great Lawn on Family Sunday Mar. 2 at the Bishop Museum proved just that as Hawaiian Civic Club members attempted to re-live a bit of the Prince Kuhio Kalanianaole era ( 1900- 1922) in holding its 15th annual event at the museum and its sprawling grounds. Many members eame in period costumes of the era and a number of the food and craft booths had decorations reflecting the theme. March was declared Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Month earlier that week by Gov. George R. Ariyoshi at the request of H. K. Bruss Keppeler, president of the Oahu District Council of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs whieh staged the Ho'ike'ike.

Other Kuhio activities for the month happened Mar. 23 with Ali'i Sunday services at Kawaiahao Church, Mauna Ala services Kuhio Day Mar. 26 and a program later that day at the federal building named in his honor. Family Sunday is sponsored as a community service the first Sunday of eaeh month by Sears, Roebuck and Company . Museum officials estimated that nearly 8,000 people attended the Mar. 2 outing. It was a perfect day for such an affair and those in attendanee had lots to do and see. There was no shortage of food, either, as people had a wide selection of items offered by the 17 participating clubs. Previous ho'ike'ike counted only the same eight clubs when the event was held at Aloha T ower and McCoy Pavilion. 01dtimers acknowledged this was a refreshing change in location.

There were two treasure hunts held at different times during the day where youngersters up to age 12 went searching for plastic colored eggs containing slips of paper with their prizes written on them. They were well rewarded because the prizes were lauhala items donated by club members. Throughout the day youngsters and adults tried their hands at croquette, badminton, Hawaiian games and tapa making. Other demonstrations included lauhala weaving, lei making, feather lei making and Easter basket decorating. Several Hawaiian artisans and craftsmen also had their wares for sale. The celebrity box luneh auction, whieh got only lukewarm response when it was first introduced, didn't take long to gain popularity as the crowd got into the act and bidding was very spirited. In the end, the auction brought in a total of $173 for the schlarship fund.

All lunches were donated by various individuals, including an elaborate pienie basket complete with iinens by Office of Hawaiian Affairs Kupuna Coordinator Betty Kawohiokalani Jenkins of Alii Pauahi HCC whieh brought a bid of $26.50. Bids ran the full gamut from a $3 stew and rice luneh to the day's top bid of $37 for a gourmet-cooked dinner for two by Peter Ching of Pearl Harbor HCC. Benson Lee, president of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, saw his little basket go for $8 while Keppeler's neat contribution fetched $15. And on and on the baskets went as Toni Lee, Roy Benham and Robert Lokomaika'iokalani Sankenberg took turns as auctioneers. Participants were minimal in the Prince Kuhio look-alike contest although there was no laek of potential contestants. No one could explain their reluctance to enter. From the very small field of entries, judges selected Charles Alika of Kapahulu Florist as a young Kuhio look-alike.

The response was virtually the same in the hula contest for kupuna age 50 and over. There were only five entries, including a guest participant. Mary Lou Kekuewa of Queen Emma HCC was the first plaee winner, followed by Ronnie Kekuku of Pearl Harbor HCC and Clem Paiaina of Prince Kuhio HCC. Entertainment was furnished by the Royal Hawaiian Band, Hanapa'a, Haunani Apoliona and Jerry Santos, Kipapa Rush Band, Hoku Hanohano award winner Anthony Conjugacion and Marlene Sai. Laryngitis prevented Conjugacion from singing but he did not disappoint the crowd when he did a eouple of hulas. Kumu Hula Frank Hewett sang several songs and danced in a spontaneous and mueh appreciated performance after being called from the crowd. Joe Recca, another entertainer of note, was also cal!ed upon for a few selections. Sherry Evans was general chairman of the event. Benham and Snakenberg shared master of ceremonies duties.

IM T*,H - ■ ! I Charles Alika was selected as best resembling a young Pnnee Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole in look-alike contest.

These two youngsters try their hands at pounding tapa bark.