Mikahala Roy, Kahu of the Ahu'ena Heiau

Yesterday, I was grateful to receive wise words from Mikahala Roy, Kahu of the Ahu'ena Heiau. She also told me a story of when she was asked to bless the Queen Lili'uokalani Long Distance Canoe Races that departs annually from Kamakahonu. Her words that day to the paddlers were,
"For 110 years, 'Oiwi have been voiceless in land that they knew first, they know best, they love most. Today the people stand to protect the Queen's ancestor's resting place from development that rampantly destroys our people's peace and erases us from the memory of our beloved land. Paddlers, know this as you near Puu 'Ohau."... "The paddlers of the winning teams along with most who followed, all raised their blades in perpendicular position as they passed Puu 'Ohau. THIS was tribute to our Queen and to truth in our Islands. That was a good day."

I hope we now look forward to many more good days when Ka'iulani's voice will be heard again. It will be heard with every presentation of The Ka'iulani Project which will lead ultimately to the premiere of "Ka'iulani, The Island Rose." Mahalo Mikahala.

The Princess Ka'iulani Project and Nā 'Ōiwi 'Ōlino radio show.

OHA's radio show hosts Kimo Kahō'ano and Brickwood Galuteria have invited, Jennifer Fahrni of The Ka'iulani Project to speak about the life of Princess Ka'iulani, The Ka'iulani Project and the upcoming play "Ka'iulani - The Island Rose". An interesting note - Brick and Kimo are both direct descendants of Ka'iulani's father, A. S. Cleghorn. They revealed this to me after the show.
Program: Monday, Dec. 29, from 8-8:30 a.m. Hawaii Time.
Office of Hawaiian Affairs radio program, Nā 'Ōiwi 'Ōlino, is on AM 940 KKNE in Honolulu, AM 900 KNUI on Maui, AM 850 KHLO in Hilo and AM 790 KKON in Kona. The drive-time morning show airs weekdays from 6:30 to 9, and streams live worldwide at www.am940hawaii.com. On the continent, the highlights show airs 8-9 a.m. Saturdays in Las Vegas on KLAV AM 1230. All shows are archived at http://am940hawaii.com/ads/naoiwiolino.html

Holidays

The Ka'iulani Project wishes all a warm holiday season and to connect with those closest to you.
Slainte, cheers and aloha, Jennifer

Funding and Sponsorship

Grants are now being written in an effort to raise the budget required to produce the large-scale stage production Ka'iulani - The Island Rose. The Maui Academy of Performing Arts (MAPA) is co-producing the premiere with David Johnston, Executive and Artistic Director of MAPA directing the show. Contact Carolyn Wright at MAPA carolyn@mauiacademy.org if you have any leads or know of organizations that would like to help bring Ka'iulani's life story to the stage.

The Ka'iulani Project - A Celebration

The project is designed to search out new information on Hawaiian Crown Princess Victoria Kawekiu I Lunalilo Kalaninuiahilapalapa Ka'iulani Cleghorn, who since her passing in 1899 has been referred to as a sad and “Tragic Princess'. With Ka'iulani Project events and the premiere of Ka'iulani - The Island Rose, rather than for her tragic loss, we will again remember Ka'iulani for her vibrance and courageous efforts for her nation during her lifetime. Our goal is to raise awareness of existing works about Ka'iulani, and encourage more. Please email your website or publication in order to set up links to and from The Ka'iulani Project website. We encourage communication between those who research the life of the princess.

Photo: courtesy of Hawaii State Archives at Iolani Palace.