Kamehameha Lei Draping

On June 8, 2012 I got to see ANOTHER thing that I've always wanted to see, but never was on-top of it enough to realize when it was happening.  I have always wanted to see the lei draping of the King Kamehameha statue.  This year I was...well I don't know if I'll go with "lucky" (you'll see why later), but I was able to see it.

The festivities for Kamehameha Day (June 11th) started on June 8th at 3:30 p.m. when the King Kamehameha I statue, on King Street and across from Iolani Palace in downtown Honolulu’s historic Capitol District, received its annual lei-draping. Volunteers spent over 24 hours stringing fresh 25-foot flower and maile lei for the statue.

There are actually two Kamehameha statues.  In 1880 the Hawaiian legislature commissioned the statue in honor of the 100 year anniversary of Captain Cook landing in Hawaii.  Unfortunately the original sank in transit from France where it was cast.  With the insurance money, another statue was cast.  Unbeknownst to Hawaii legislature the original statue was recovered and now the legislators were faced with two identical statues.  The original was installed in Kohala on the Big Island (My island! I still haven't seen it) and the second cast was installed in front of Ali'iolani Hale.  Ali'iolani Hale is now home to Hawaii's State Supreme Court.

KAMEHAMEHA STATUE IN FRONT OF ALI'IOLANI PALACE

KAMEHAMEHA STATUES PRE-DRAPING

When I got there the Royal Hawaiian Band was performing.  They have been around since 1836 when they were founded by Kamehameha III.

ROYAL HAWAIIAN BAND

HULA DANCER DANCES WITH THE ROYAL HAWAIIAN BAND

Then kumu hula Manu Boyd of Halau o ke `A`ali`i Ku Makani (They won the overall wahine division and the wahine kahiko this past Merrie Monarch!) then did two mele and one of his dancers performed.

HULA DANCER WITH MANU BOYD

After the opening performances, we got to the lei draping ceremony!

HFD CAPTAIN JAMES TODD GETS READY TO CLEAN DOWN THE STATUE

GIVING KAMEHAMEHA A LITTLE FACIAL

OOPS! LOOKS A LITTLE COMPROMISING!

 Then the volunteers began to bring out the long strands of plumeria:

STRANDS OF PLUMERIA

Then it was time to string the lei on Kamehameha:
 

CAPTAIN TODD GETTING THE FIRST STRANDS

GOING UP

(The previous pictures are actually of the first strands of lei, but then I switched to a video which is why the picture below has lei on the statue already.)

PLACING THE STRANDS ON THE STATUE

Next a long stream of various groups gave their offerings to be placed on or by the statue.

LADIES DANCE HULA FROM AHAHUI KAAHUMANU SOCIETY

ROYAL ORDER OF KAMEHAMEHA'S OFFERING

 Since watching all the offerings weren't that interested I thought I'd check in on the car.  I walked down the sidewalk and looked across the street to where I had parked Brian's car and saw...

NO CAR!!!

I am ashamed to say that I completely freaked out.  First of all I was super mad at myself because I had taken the time to actually read all the stupid parking rules, but there were so many dumb signs I obviously misread one of them.  (People who write parking signage must go out of their way to be confusing) Second, I was upset because I didn't know anything about the car - license plate, make, model, etc.  And I wasn't sure that since I wasn't the registered owner if I'd even  be able to pick it up once I found out where it was towed to.  Some very nice police officers steered me along the way and I had another first...I rode TheBus for the first time.  I only had to take TheBus like three stops and then walk about two blocks to the impound lot.  Luckily for me I had brought my emergency cash fund so getting the car wasn't any financial strain (Thank you Dave Ramsey for that critical financial advice!).  It was so annoying to know that they had towed my car just about 20 minutes before I had gone to check on it and it was because I was 10 minutes into a "no-park" time.  Boo.

Nevertheless I was thoroughly relieved to have the car in hand and so I drove back to Ali'iolani Hale so that I could see the Kamehameha statue fully decked out.  All the crowds had dispersed by then and I was able to admire the final result of the ceremony.

KAMEHAMEHA STATUE IN FRONT OF ALI'IOLANI HALE

VERY LARGE HAT OFFERING!

 I enjoyed my opportunity to finally see this event, but it was definitely colored by me stupidly managing to get Brian's car towed.  So it turned out to be a very expensive tourist-y experience...ugh.

Floating Latern Ceremony

We now return to our regularly scheduled program...ha.  Okay I'm going to try to pick up from the rest of summer blogs to get caught up.

Returning to Memorial Day 2012.  I have already blogged about what an amazing time I had at Pearl Harbor.  I was so lucky to attend on literally the 50th anniversary of the memorial.  Now the second half of my Memorial Day was equally as awesome because I finally managed to get my act together to attend the Floating Lantern Ceremony in Honolulu.  Now I've always heard about this event...AFTER it had happened.  Somehow I never connected Memorial Day with this event...nor realized it was kind of major - like broadcast on local news channels every year.  Whoops.

I had hoped to get down there early so I could have a shot at getting a lantern.  I was worried because the newspapers were predicting tens of thousands would be in attendance and they only had like 2,000 lanterns.  Of course, I got distracted at Pearl Harbor and got down to town way later than I wanted.  I found parking and located the tent.  The line was ridiculously long, but I figured I walk it just to see how far back it went.  Well it kept going on and on and on.  I really despaired of ever finding the end and if I did, I probably wouldn't even get a lantern.  I was just about to give up (but really didn't want to) and so I decided to walk just a little farther.  After about another fifty yards I reached the end and was told by a volunteer that there would be a good chance I could get a lantern! Yippee!

AT THE VERY END OF THE LINE (THE WHITE IS THE TENT)

The line moved quicker than I anticipated it would and it was sped up by me randomly spotting a co-worker from Mt. View wandering around the park.  Nanci teaches preschool at Mt. View and has recently transplanted herself from New York.  It was so nice to have someone with me to help speed up the line waiting and we ended up spending the whole experience together.

However, the best part of this blog is going to be the pictures since it's just gorgeous...so I better get to that!

After probably an hour of standing in line, we reached the tent! It was a relief to both be at the tent, know that we could secure our lanterns and be out of the sun for a bit!

ENTERING THE TENT

Upon registering we received these really nice large bags that had all the parts of our lantern in them. As Chris knows (and complains about), I am a sucker for a bag! The whole process was extremely well organized.  They had multiple lines, lots of volunteers, and you were directed everywhere.  It was seamless! 

LANTERN DIRECTIONS

We were directed to a table where we sat down to put together our lanterns and decorate them as well. It was an interesting environment as some people were celebrating life and others were mourning in grief.  The floating lanterns seem to mean many things to different people.  The history of it is that
lighting candles for the departed is a tradition that is embraced and practiced across most cultures and religions to illuminate the way, convey warmth and create hope and a sense of connection.
Toro Nagashi, or “lantern offerings on the water” is a time-honored Buddhist rite to pay respect to ancestors and offer comfort to spirits of the deceased. Candle-lit lanterns carry heartfelt prayers for those who have sacrificed their lives in war, for victims of water-related accidents, natural disasters, famine and disease, as well as loved ones who have passed away.

Lantern floating ceremonies symbolically ferry the spirits of the deceased back to the spiritual realm to mark the completion of Obon, the Buddhist tradition of welcoming spirits of family members back to celebrate with and be honored by the living.  Obon observances are traditionally held during the later summer months. Shinnyo-en observes the traditional period of Obon with its corresponding services including a lantern floating ceremony in addition to the May observances in Hawaiʻi. (http://www.lanternfloatinghawaii.com/about-the-event/)

PEOPLE CONSTRUCTING THEIR LANTERNS

Nanci and I had a few hours to kill until the ceremony began so I suggested that we do one thing that  I love to do...shop :) Ala Moana was across the street and I decided I wanted a bathing suit top because after being in the hot sun waiting in line for most of the late morning/afternoon I was pretty hot.  We had a fun time browsing in the mall, got some food to go, and then walked back to Magic Island to grab a seat.  The ceremonies were supposed to start at 6pm. We didn't have long to wait and snacked on our food in the meanwhile.

GRABBING OUR SEATS

They started with some guest performances from Raiatea Helm and Brothers Cazimero.  Then Her Holiness Keishu Shinso Ito appeared.  She serves as the spiritual head of the Shinnyo-en Buddhist Order.

HER HOLINESS ON THE BIG SCREEN

The next set of performances were by Shinnyo Taiko.  At first I was enraptured by watching the big screen that was just behind us...but then I realized that if I looked across the water I could actually see the performers! I LOVE taiko drumming so I really enjoyed this part of the show.

SHINNYO TAIKO DRUMMERS

At one point I looked back at the big screen and saw this (I'm assuming) tourist standing up amongst the crowd in her kimono and I thought...wow how perfect :)

JAPANESE TOURIST IN KIMONO ENJOYING THE TAIKO

Of course the show just got better and better.  There was an oli (chant) from Pualani Kanahele, Kekuhi & Kaumaikaiwa Kanaka'ole, the latter of which I am mildly obsessed with.  This Hawaiian family is legendary in Hilo and I think I've written about them a number of times.  With their bright yellow outfits, they were pretty easy to see against the all-white stage.

PUALANI & KAUMAKAIWA CHANTING

In this picture you can see Pualani and Kaumakaiwa chanting as some people bring out the "parent lanterns."

BRINGING OUT THE PARENT LANTERNS

PARENT LANTERNS AT THE BACK OF THE STAGE

 Next they had Hālau Ka Liko Pua O Kalaniākea perform some hula.

HULA

Finally the actual floating lantern ceremony started.  First Her Holiness gave and address to the crowd that was estimated to be about 40,000 people on Magic Island, plus countless people watching on the local TV channels and on the web where they streamed the event.

HER HOLINESS GIVES THE WELCOMING ADDRESS

Next the dignitaries (i.e. Governor Neil Abercrombie, Mayor Peter Carlisle, etc) lit the Light of Harmony.  It reminded me of the opening ceremonies to the Olympics.

LIGHT OF HARMONY

While all of this was happening on stage the canoes loaded with lanterns silently paddled and paused right in front of where I was standing.  It was gorgeous.

The six parent lanterns were carried to a canoe and then the lanterns began to be released into the waters.  As they were released, volunteers came around the beach and lit our candles for our lanterns for those of us standing on the shore with our own lanterns.

SIX PARENT LANTERNS ON THE CANOE

LANTERNS BEING RELEASED INTO THE WATER

ME WITH MY LANTERN BEFORE RELEASING IT

RELEASING MY LANTERN (I DON'T ACTUALLY KNOW WHICH ONE IT IS, BUT IT'S ONE OF THEM)

Periodically we would see these floating lanterns floating overhead.  It was pretty amazing (although now I know they can wreak havoc and start fires, especially in places that have extreme dry zones like our islands).

LANTERNS IN THE WATER AND IN THE SKY

LANTERNS IN THE TWILIGHT

LANTERNS AFTER THE SUN SETS

VIEW OF THE SCENE ON MAGIC ISLAND

PADDLING OUT

There was a barrier set up around the harbor and my final pictures were of these surfers paddling out.  I am assuming they were going to start the retrieval process since they try to reuse the lanterns as much as possible.

Overall the floating lanterns were a pretty magical experience and I am so glad that I got a chance to experience it at least once.  It was beautiful and touching.  As we released our lamps they have a video of various people talking about why they were releasing a lantern and if you didn't cry, you had a cold heart indeed.  The lanterns are a chance to those honor those who have sacrificed their lives in war, for loved ones who have passed away and to generate hope toward a harmonious and peaceful future. As it says on the Lantern Floating Hawaii website: "Lantern Floating Hawaii allows people a personal moment to remember, reflect and offer gratitude to those who came before us.  It is also a collective experience where families, friends and even strangers extend warmth, compassion and understanding to support one-another. We are strengthened as a community as we reach out to support others and build understanding of our common human values and experiences." What a perfect way to spend Memorial Day!

He Hali'a Aloha No Lili'uokalani

Today I danced in He Hali'a Aloha No Lili'uokalani or Queen Lili'uokalani Festival in Hilo at...the Queen Lili'uokalani Gardens.  This festival honors the last reigning queen of the Hawaiian monarchy.  Here's some more information about the festival: http://www.limahula.com/hula-festivals/he-halia-aloha-no-liliuokalani

In an earlier blog post I wrote about the pellon that we dyed.  Getting dress in that pellon was definitely a group affair!

GET WRAPPED LIKE A PRESENT

THEN TIE IT ON

PINNING IN THE PALAIPALAI (FERNS)

There were multiple different styles of how the hālau wore our pellon skirts.  The gracious ladies and keiki wore it long with a butterfly looking fold in the back.  The papa pua kalaunu (younger girls) wore theirs at calf length and it was accordion folded.  Underneath we wore the brown rompers that we had to sew.  Not attractive at all on it's own, but works just fine under our skirts!

HULA SISTER WEARING THE ROMPER WHILE HER SKIRT IS PREPARED AND KUMU MAKES A LE PO'O FOR THE LITTLE BOY

Since this was my first performance, I didn't realize how much waiting we'd be doing and told Chris to come extra early early since parking was going to be a disaster.  He wandered around the gardens while he waited.  While he wandered around he found that in one of the ponds there was a black-tipped shark!

SHARK (WHITE SPOT IN BOTTOM-RIGHT SIDE OF PHOTO)

THE SHARK

Some guys ended up killing the shark by spearing it because black tipped sharks bite and they were afraid of a keiki falling in the pond and getting bitten.  Apparently a few years ago, during the flower drop, one of the keiki was chasing the flowers and fell into a pond!

After we were all dressed, kumu staged us, we practiced a little (while it rained) and then we waited for about two hours for the program to start! Thankfully while we waited, it stopped raining :)

These are some of the ladies I dance with every Wednesday.  They are a great bunch of women and I really love class with them. 

PAPA PUA KENIKENI

HĀLAU NA PUA ‘O ULUHAIMĀLAMA

Finally it was time to perform.  We were performing a mass hula where multiple different hālau all perform the same songs.  We danced a kahiko, an older, more traditional style of dance, and an 'auana, or more modern type.  

For our kahiko, we danced to "E Lili'u E" and for our 'auana, we danced the "Hilo Hula."

E LILI'U E

KO MAKA (EYES) - E LILI'U E

This picture is the end of the kahiko, "ELili'u E." "He inoa no Lili'uokalani" means that we danced this in honor of Queen Lili'uokalani.

HE INOA NO LILI'UOKALANI

 The 'auana made me a little nervous.  When they did the rehearsal on Friday and in our classes back at the hālau, when we practiced this song it was really fast.  In particular, the version they had us practicing to was REALLY REALLY fast.  But when they did the live performance, it was actually even slower than when kumu played it in class on his ukulele. 

GRACIOUS LADIES - HILO HULA

END OF HILO HULA

During "Hilo Hula" the helicopter came and dropped some orchids over the crowd.  From what I've heard in the past, it's hit or miss where it lands.  Well, it missed us :(  

FLOWERS FROM THE FLOWER DROP IN A POND

The performance was a ton of fun.  All the waiting we did made it so I couldn't even be nervous because I was just ready to dance already.  It was nice to have a culmination of all the work we did over the past month of learning the dances and making our outfits.  I wish there was a way we could've seen all the other hālau dancing around the gardens, but we couldn't since all the "fan clubs" (parents, etc) and other general guests were in the way.  During the rehearsal I got the sense that there were some basic differences in how we all danced the same song and it would've been neat to see (although probably confusing haha).

Video link of the performance :)