Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 5, Number 12, 1 December 1988 — Kalakaua Birthday Ceremonies Mark Museum Opening, Memorial Service [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Kalakaua Birthday Ceremonies Mark Museum Opening, Memorial Service

By Ed Miehelman Public Information Officer A variety of ceremonies and observances in Honolulu marked the 152nd birthday ofKingKalakaua on Wednesday, November 16, 1988. The festivities began at 9:30 in the morning as the Royal Hawaiian Band greeted several hundred guests for the dedication of the Kalakaua Boathouse. It houses the $6 million Hawaii Maritime Center, located at Pier 7 in Honolulu Harbor. Construction was funded primarily by private donations from businesses, foundations and individuals. lt features manne and maritime exhibits, including an extensive eanoe display. The two-story wooden structure is designed in the style of King Kalakaua's private boathouse whieh was docked at Honolulu Harbor at the foot of Punchbowl Street during the late 1800s. In addition to some 29 exhibits, today's boathouse museum also houses an open-air restaurant and a multi-purpose room. The dedication ceremonies included remarks by Governor John Waihee and Robert Pfeiffer, president of the Hawaii Maritime Center's Executive Committee. Pfeiffer called the museum "a focal point for people, programs and activities. . .aliving museum (whieh) will share the tradition and the pride of Hawaii's maritime past with those who have lived it and perhaps forgotten it, as well as those who never knew it." The Royal Hawaiian Band was also prominent in colorful noonhme ceremonies at 'Iolani Palaee. The makai side of the palaee was draped as it was for Kalakaua's Jubilee in 1886, with exact reproductions of the original white, red and blue bunting and flags. As the band played the Ka Mo'i March, composed by Kalakaua himself, the Royal Guard in full dress uniform marched from the Royal Barracks to 'Iolani Palaee. Governor Waihee, aecompanied by Adjutant General Alexis Lum and

David Kawananakoa, representing the royal family, descended the palaee steps to inspect the troops. The formal inspection has added significance this year. It is the 25th anniversary of the reformation of the Royal Guard by Colonel Walter Judd in 1963. The guard was disbanded immediately after the overthrow of the monarchy in 1893. Todayit is made up of members of the Hawaii Air National Guard who are of Hawaiian ancestry. Following

the ceremony, guardsmen were posted at eaeh of the four gates of 'Iolani Palaee. They remained at their posts until the Hawaiian flag atop the palaee was lowered at sunset. A final observance of Kalakaua's birthdate was the annual service by the Daughters and Sons of Hawaiian Warriors at Mauna 'Ala. The ceremony included chants by Ka'upena Wong and songs of the Kalakaua era by historian and entertainer Palani Vaughn.

The Hawai'i Maritime Center at Honolulu Harbor Pier 7 opened last month.

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