Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 4, Number 4, 1 ʻApelila 1987 — Kaʻahumanu Honored on 219th Birthday [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Kaʻahumanu Honored on 219th Birthday

Two fifth grade students from Ka'ahumanu Elementary School — one from Afghanistan and one whose parents were born in Korea — and new Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Director and Chairman Ilima Pi'ianai'a talked about Queen Elisabeth Ka'ahumanu Mar. 17 on the occasion of her 219th birthday during services at Mauna 'Ala. Members of the sponsoring 'Ahahui Ka'ahumanu stood out regally in their black outfits and orange leis. They were joined by several other Hawaiian organizations, including the Royal Order of Kamehameha and its Women's Auxiliary; the white-clad members of Hale O Na Ali'i; the Daughters and Sons of Hawaiian Warriors; and the Queen Emma, Pearl Harbor and Prince Kuhio Hawaiian Civic Clubs. Also on hand were Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board

of T rustees Chairman Moses K. Keale Sr. and Adminis- ' trator Kamaki A. Kanahele III; David Peters representing Sen. Daniel K.Inouye; Oahu Civil Defense Director George Kekuna representing Mayor Frank F. Fasi and several other loeal leaders. Governor John David Waihee III was unable to attend but he sent a ho'okupu. Miss Pi'ianai'a said she doesn't think of Ka'ahumanu as being King Kamehameha's favorite wife as is often related but rather she thinks of Kamehameha as being her favorite husband. She reflected that Ka'ahumanu grew up in a period of change. She was 8 or 9 years of age when she was assigned to Kamehameha at Kohala. Born at Kauiki, Maui, Ka'ahumanu was a married woman by the time she was 13. "Without Ka'ahumanu, we may not have seen the human side of Kamehameha," Miss Pi'ianai'a said. "I think of her as an example of the young women of today — as an example of the strength we need," she added. "Finally," the speaker noted, "we need to get a Hawaiian to write about Ka'ahumanu," pointingout the laek of authentic history written about her.

Miehael Chang was born in Hawaii and with his excellent command of the English language described the life of Ka'ahumanu. Zuhal Osmanzai eame to Hawaii five years ago and "I didn't understand a word of English then." The young former Afghanistan girl had no problem with her new language Mar. 17 as she talked about her school, activities and her fellow students. They were accompanied by Principal Frank Sasaoka. Rachel Igarta and other members of the 'Ahahui sang several songs while Doris Hurley served as mistress of ceremonies with the assistance of President Lillian Kruse. Kahu David Kaupu of the Kamehameha Schools gave the invocation and Lahela Mahuiki the benediction. A luneheon at Paradise Park followed.

Illllll lllllllllllllllllllllllllllll ■HOHHHmMHI Among those watching the program honoring the anniversary of Queen Ka'ahumanu are from left to right, front row, Frank Sasaoka, principal of Ka'ahumanu Elementary School and his two student speakers, Zuhal Osmanzai and Miehael Chang and keynote speaker Ilima Pi'ianai'a. Second row, Office of Hawaiian Affairs Administrator Kamaki A. Kanahele III, OHA Board of T rustees Chairman Moses K. Keale Sr., David Peters, representing Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, Mrs. Richard Lyman Jr. and her husband, chairman of the Bishop Estate Board of Trustees.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs Administrator Kamaki A. Kanahele III presents his ho'okupu to a member of the 'Ahahui Ka'ahumau while OHA Board of Trustees Chairman Moses K. Keale Sr. awaits his turn.