Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 6, Number 10, 1 ʻOkakopa 1989 — Musical tribute sends aloha to Queen [ARTICLE]

Musical tribute sends aloha to Queen

By Ann L. Moore As evening shadows !engthened a quiet crowd made its way to the 'Iolani Palaee Sept. 2, to attend an anniversary concert commemorating the 151st birthday of Queen Lili'uokalani. The Royal Hawaiian Band played Hawaiian melodies as people gathered on the mauka (moun-tain-side) courtyard for the observances. The statue of the Queen, whieh stands between the palaee and the state capitol, was surrounded by bouquets of flowers. Around the neek of the Queen and in her outstretched hand, lei blossoms were wreathed. They perfumed the air and the decorative ribbons swirled in the gentle breeze. It was "Queen's weather" for the concert. The sun's last rays slanted across the mauka courtyard and trade winds kept the audience, musicians and honored guests comfortable. Recognition was given to 70 docents who had just completed their training and who are ready, now, to take up their task of guiding visitors through the palaee. Present at the concert was Lord Telford of Northfield, a member of the House of Lords of the British Parliament. Lord Northfield recently presented a lithograph, by Samuel Cousins, of young Queen Victoria to Governor John Waihee, along with copies of correspondence between Great Britain and the Kingdom of Hawai'i. The etching will hang in 'Iolani Palaee in the King Kalakaua library. The presentation was made on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain. Queen Elizabeth's gifts, and Lord Northfield's presence at the concert, were warmly applauded by the audience. TLie concert began with a chanted prayer in Hawaiian then the band played "The King's March" as the colors were carried to the top of the steps by the Color Guard. The two menremained at the top of the steps, proudly supporting the Hawaiian flags, throughout the concert. The chants given that evening were by Anthony Lenehenko and Kimo Alama. "Hawaii Pono'i" the state anthem was played and then the sound of the eoneh shell called the Honolulu Boy Choir, with dancers, to the steps. Their clear young voices and beautifully executed traditional hula were applauded by the appreciative crowd of several hundreds. The singers

wore blue shirts and white trousers. The dancers wore black and white striped shirts, black trousers and raffia hula skirts, head lei and wrist lei. All were barefoot. Nalani 01ds, dressed in a lavender gown with lavender lei sang "Hamohamo," a song Queen Lili'uokalani wrote while imprisoned in 'Iolani Palaee after her forced abdication. Among 01ds' songs was one the Queen wrote about the beautiful flowers of the islands and another written by the Queen's sister. Kaimana, made up of Haunani Apoliona,

Haunani Bernardino, and Aaron Mahi, began their tribute with a song that had been a birthday chant for the Queen whieh Her Majesty set to music. Other songs by the Queen, or written for her, followed but the crowd's clear favorite was "Tutu." As the porch lights and street lamps eame on at the palaee, the Kawaiahao Church Choir offered hymns including "The Queen's Prayer." The evening closed with a chanted prayer. Finally, the audienee joined the band to sing "Aloha Oe" with full voices and hearts to end a perfect evening.