Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 8, Number 5, 1 May 1991 — Ceremony of unification olanned at Puʻ ukohola [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]
Ceremony of unification olanned at Puʻ ukohola
The "Na Aikane O Pu'ukohola Heiau," in cooperation with the National Parks Service Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site, are planning a special ceremony to commemorate the bicentennial of the dedication of Kamehameha's "temple of unification" at Kawaihae, Hawai'i. This event, to be held on Aug. 17 this year, is intended to commemorate in an authentic Hawaiian manner the event that signalled the ascendance of Kamehameha the Great and decided forever the socio-political course of the Hawaiian Islands.
Organizers are inviting representatives of Hawaiian organizations, including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, benevolent societies, and civic organizations as well as 'ohana organizations, to "unite in harmony of body, mind and spirit." They see it as a way for "all Hawaiians and especially those descendants whose ancestors 200 years ago engaged in epie struggle for ascendancy and dominion, to heal now and forever the bitterness, grievance and enmity of the past 200 years." The event, whieh is themed "Ho'oku'ikahi — Unification: 1791-1991" offers organizations the opportunity to participate in a dignified ceremony whieh may include display of authentic kahili, presentation of a traditional ho'okupu in the usual offering unit of 40 and, sharing of oli and haipule by designated male representatives. Event planners and coordinators are Daniel Kawai'ae'a, area managerfor the National Historic Site and Loma Akima, administrative assistant. For information eall 882-7218. A final purpose of the commemoration, as stated by the organizers, is "to address the historic and contemporary consequences of state-craft, human warfare and human welfare as we strive to
understand and appreciate those meanings for own lives today and in the future." Members of the Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka'u, Hawai'i, have expressed theirstrongendorsement and support of the 200th anniversary commemoration as an event of great historic significance. "Ho'okuikahi represents an opportunity for all Hawaiians to eome together in unification, forgiving the wrongs and the hurts of the past, to celebrate our Hawaiian heritage, and to move forward in lokahi (unity) toward our future and our destiny as Hawaiians," the club members said in a letter to OHA in support of the event.
Sam Kaai shows model of mahiole (helmet) whieh will be used in the ceremony at Puukohola.