Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 4, Number 5, 1 May 1987 — Queen Lydia Liliʻuokalani Elementary School [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Queen Lydia Liliʻuokalani Elementary School

Nostalgia Runs High at 75th Anniversary Program

By Kenny Haina, Editor Ka Wai Ola O OHA It was a memorable and nostalgic day Apr. 10 when students, teachers, parents, administrators, guests, graduates and many others in an estimated crowd of 300 gathered at the Queen Lydia Lili'uokalani Elementary School in Kaimuki to mark the school's 75th anniversary. Entertainment by the Royal Hawaiian Band under Bandmaster Aaron Mahi opened the Diamond Jubilee program. Monsignor Charles Kekumano, chairman of the Board of Trustees of Lili'uokalani Trust gave the invocation. Weleome messages were given by Erin Malterre, president of the school student eouneil; Davidson Lee, president of the school PTSA; Dr. Margaret Oda, Honolulu District superintendent; and current school pnneipal Arthur Wong. There was a message from Governor John David Waihee III read by former teacher James Yasuda who is on the Governor's administrative staff; resolutions from the State House of Representatives presented by Rep. Les Ihara and from the City and County of Honolulu presented by Councilman Leigh Wai Doo; and a Senate certificate of congratulations presented by Sen. Bertrand Kobayashi. Among Lili'uokalani graduates recognized in the crowd by Wong were former Rep. Kenneth Kiyabu, Sen. Patsy Young, Rep. Barbara Marumoto, Rep. Samuel S.H. Lee and KGMB Television News Channel 9 reporter Pamela Young who was on hand to film and report on the event. A reenactment of the Queen's years at Royal School and later her court were portrayed by students. Lani Watson played the part of a young Lili'uokalani and Ikaika Keone Mitchell was her brother David Kalakaua. In the Queen's court enactment were Moana Henderson as Queen LiLi'uokalani with John Martin as her husband, John Dominis. Also included in the portrayals was the custom of ho'okupu or gift giving.

Students danced to a special chant, "He Ino No Lili'u," composed by Wendell P.K. Silva, executive director of the Kalihi-Palama Culture and Arts Society ine. Former and retired teachers and administrators of the school, senior citizens today, sang "Ku'u Pua I Paoakalani." Highlight of the one and one-half hour program eame near the end with the unveiling of the Queen's bronze bust by artist Marianna Pineda who also did the statue of Lili'uokalani whieh today stands at the state capitol. Participating in the unveiling were Msgr. Kekumano and other administrators of Lili'uokalani Trust; members of Hawaiian organizations, including Lilian Kruse, president of 'Ahahui Kaahumanu, Healani Doane of Daughters and Sons of Hawaiian Warriors, Frances Camacho of Waikiki Hawaiian Civic Club; and Virginia Dominis Koeh, granddaughter of Queen Lili'uokalani. Mrs. Koch's mother, Mrs. Reginald Mills, is the Queen's daughter-in-law who was on hand April 12, 1912, when the cornerstone was laid during ground breaking ceremonies. Mrs. Mills returned 59 years later on July 22, 1971 to participate in the opening of a box in the cornerstone when the original building was demolished to make way for today's complex. Only the concrete slab of the cornerstone imprinted with fhe year 1912 remains today at a corner of what is known as the school's Play Court. It is the only link to the original building.

In that 1912 dedication, Queen Lili'uokalani was then age 75. Also participating that same day was then Territorial Governor Sanford B. Dole, Ed Towse and Henri Berger and the Hawaiian Band as listed on the program. According to reports, it was also the first time the Queen and Dole had met publicly since the 1893 uprising whieh ended the Hawaiian monarchy. Another time capsule containing several items will be placed in the pedestal of the Queen's sculpture. This box is expected to be opened during the school's eentennial in the year 2012. Among items in the box will be Jubilee Magazine published by the students; the 1986-87 Yearbook; "The Lili'uokalani Press," school newspaper; the Apr. 10 rededication day program; the Culture Day program held in March; rededication day ribbons and guest list; copies of the Honolulu Advertiser and Honolulu StarBulletin; video tape with various activities, events and programs; and a tape cassette. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the name of the Ka Wai Ola O OHA editor will be in the time capsule courtesy of the guest list. A pedestal will be commissioned by the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and the capsule placed in it.

According to a Dedication Day program on exhibit at the school, the superintendent of the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) at the time was Willis T. Pope. DPI is today known as the Department of Education (DOE). Location of the building was at Wailae Road (now Avenue) and Koko Head Avenue whieh is still the current address. The building cost $60,000 with an additional $8,000 for the land. The architect was J.H. Craig and the contractor, Angus P. McDonald. Lili'uokalani has had 12 principals in its 75-year history with Harriet Needham as its first. Others and the years they served were T.H. Gibson, 1914-1919; James Wilson, 1919-1939; Thomas Martin, 1939-1950; John Ferreira, 1946-1947; Fred Kaeek, 1945; Aliee Nicholson Clas, 1950-1951; Elizabeth Ryan, 1951-1962; Archie Jackson, 1961-1967; Minoru Ezaki, 1967-1972; Ted Kalua, 1972-1985; and Arthur Wong who eame on board in 1985. Wong spearheaded the planning of the jubilee program with the cooperation of staff, faculty, parents, Kaimuki Lions Club and various other organizations. Fifth grader Cleve Hamasaki did a beautiful job as master of ceremonies.

Former teachers, students, staff and faculty make up this group of senior citizens giving out with a song to Queen Lili'uokalani.

Members of Hawaiian organizations take part in the unveiling of Queen Lili'uokalani's bust. From left to right are Charles Nakoa, executive director, Queen Lili'uokalani Trust; Virginia Dominis Koeh, a granddaughter of the Queen; Healani Doane, Daughters and Sons of Hawaiian Warriors; Monsignor Charles Kekumano, chairman, Board of T rustees, Queen Lili'uokalani T rust; Lillian Kruse, president, 'Ahahui Ka'ahumanu; and Lydia Namahana Maioho, curator, Mauna 'Ala.

It is ho'okupu time as students present their gifts to members of the royal court. On stage watching proceedings are Queen Lili'uokalani played by Moana Henderson and her husband, John Dominis, played by John Martin.

This is all that remains from the original building. It is now located in an area referred to as the Play Court.

Students plaee items in box as another time eapsule to be opened in 25 years when the school observes its centennial in the year 2012.