Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 20, Number 3, 1 March 2003 — Jonah Kūhiō, the 'Citizen Prince,' honored with events [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Jonah Kūhiō, the 'Citizen Prince,' honored with events

Hanana KOiKiM

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By Manu Boyd In Hawaiian, the phrase "ke ali'i maka'āinana" is somewhat of an oxymoron, as ali'i means chief, and maka'āinana, eommonei'. But for Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana'ole, the title represented his rapport with the citizers of Hawai'i, and his ability to influence those <n high places on causes he believed in. Born March 26 1878 at Kōloa, Kaua'i, Kūhiō was the son of nohle parentage. His mother, Kinoiki II, descended from high Kaua'i lineage that mingled with chiefs of Maui. Her grandfather, Kaumuali'i, was the last independent ruler of Kaua'i and Ni'ihau, and was a descendant of Manokalanipō, most associated with Kaua'i in song and chant. Prince Ktthiō's father, David Kahalepouli Pi'ikoi, descended from high Hawai'i island lineage " including the exalted mō'īwahine Kalanikaulele'īaiwi and her son Keawepoepoe. Also a descendant of Kuali'i, mō'ī

of O'ahu, Kūhiō's mo'okū'auhau or genealogy was respected and acknowledged by all. His compassion for the citizenry ultimately led to the establishment of two entities: the Hawaiian Civic Club, and the Hawaiian Homes

Commission Act. In December 1918, Kūhiō and a handful of Hawaiian leaders met to discuss the formation of a club that would advocate for the education, leadership development and civic involvement of the Hawaiian, largely displaced with the overthrow the Hawaiian monarchy a quarter century earlier. That club, known today as the Hawaiian Civic Club of Honolulu, is one of 46 in Hawai'i and on the continent that foster those objectives Prince Kūhiō intended. The Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920, the Congressional act that set aside 200,000 acres of land for Hawaiians, was largely due to the efforts of Prince Kūhiō as a delegate to the United States Congress. Though a non-voting member of Congress as a territorial representative, Kūhiō's chiefly status and skill as an ambassador and diplomat afforded him strong influence in that arena. See PRINCE KŪHIŌ on page 17

KAWANANAKOA — Great-grand-nephews of Prince KOhlō: David and Quentln Kawōnanakoa, partlclpated In lost year's Prlnce Kūhiō Parade representing thelr great-grandfather Prlnce David Kawōnanakoa.

PRINCE KŪHIŌ from page 10

A series of annual events occur statewide honoring the birth of the prince, and the legacies to his credit. On Sat., March 29, the Prince Kūhiō Commemorative Parade will traverse Kalākaua Avenue in Waikīkī from Fort DeRussy to Kapi'olani Park, named for Prince Kūhiō's aunt, Queen Kapi'olani. The second annual event is sponsored by the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs (AOHCC), the State Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, the State Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations and the City and County of Honolulu. The weekend prior, March 22 and 23, the O'ahu Council of the AOHCC will hold its annual Hō'ike'ike at the Queen Kapi'olani Bandstand in Waikīkī. The event will feature crafts, demonstrations, health screening and entertainment galore. Hawai'i Maoli, the non-profit arm of the AOHCC responsible for recording oral histories, archiving records and association print and internet communications, presents a concert in Kūhiō's honor on Sun., March 30. Raiatea Helm, Nā Leo Pilimehena and the Kawaiolaonāpūkamleo choral highlight the star-studded cast. The 4 p.m. concert will be held at the historic Hawai'i Theatre in Honolulu, and is a benefit for Hawai'i Maoli ine. For tickets, eall the Hawai'i Theatre Box Office at 528-0506. For information on the parade and other commemorative events, eall Hawai'i Maoli at 593-9650. ■