{"id":221040,"date":"2025-08-28T09:01:12","date_gmt":"2025-08-28T19:01:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=221040"},"modified":"2025-08-28T09:01:12","modified_gmt":"2025-08-28T19:01:12","slug":"free-events-hawaiian-history-month-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2025\/08\/28\/free-events-hawaiian-history-month-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Free events celebrate Queen Lili\u02bbuokalani and Hawaiian History Month"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
\"Queen
Liliʻuokalani,<\/span> Ka Mōʻī<\/span> Wahine o Hawaiʻi<\/span> (Queen Liliʻuokalani<\/span>) (Image courtesy: Hawaiʻi<\/span> State Archives)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This September, Hawaiʻi<\/span> will mark its first official Hawaiian History Month<\/a>, following the state\u2019s adoption of Act 167<\/a> earlier this year. The month honors Queen Liliʻuokalani<\/span> and celebrates Native Hawaiian contributions, inviting the community to reflect, learn and envision the future together.<\/p>\n

\"hula
ʻŌlapa<\/span> hula (hula dancers) share a hula kahiko (ancient dance) in front of regal ʻIolani<\/span> Palace during a previous Hawaiian History Month celebration.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n

Presented by the Hawaiʻi<\/span> Ponoʻī<\/span> Coalition and the ¶«¾«Ó°Òµ<\/abbr> at Mānoa\u2019s Hawaiʻinuiākea<\/span> School of Hawaiian Knowledge<\/a>, this year\u2019s observance offers free concerts, films, walking tours, cultural presentations and virtual events designed to connect people across generations.<\/p>\n

“This designation affirms our collective responsibility to share Hawaiʻi<\/span>\u2019s true story,” said State Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole, who sponsored the legislation. “It honors Queen Liliʻuokalani<\/span> while inspiring civic participation rooted in aloha ʻāina<\/span>.”<\/p>\n

\"Young,
Earliest known photograph of Liliʻuokalani,<\/span> age 15 (Photo credit: Hawaiʻi<\/span> State Archives)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n

Honoring her legacy<\/h2>\n

Hawaiian History Month honors the legacy of Queen Liliʻuokalani<\/span> while highlighting the islands\u2019 history and heritage. Born Lydia Liliʻu<\/span> Loloku Walania Wewehi Kamakaʻeha<\/span> in 1838 at her family home in Puōwaina (Punchbowl), she was Hawaiʻi<\/span>\u2019s last reigning monarch. A gifted composer and staunch defender of her people, her September 2 birthday anchors the month\u2019s observance and keeps her legacy at its center.<\/p>\n

Rare performance<\/h2>\n

Among this year\u2019s most anticipated events is the return of Mai Poina: The Overthrow Walking Tours<\/em>, where actors guide participants through pivotal moments of January 1893 at ʻIolani<\/span> Palace. Another highlight is The Kumulipo Experience<\/em>, a rare performance of the sacred 2,102-line genealogy chant, honoring the queen through a cultural offering not seen in generations.<\/p>\n

“This month is a living classroom,” said Malia Nobrega, director of strategic partnerships at Hawaiʻinuiākea<\/span> who is helping organize events. “It\u2019s about carrying forward Queen Liliʻuokalani\u2019s<\/span> vision and creating opportunities for our communities to connect, reflect and be inspired.”<\/p>\n

Event highlights (All events are free and open to the public.)<\/h2>\n
\"Umeke
ʻUmeke<\/span> lāʻau<\/span> at Kapolei Hale (Photo credit: City and County of Honolulu)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n