For a second consecutive year, Hawaiian History Month recognizes social justice and reconciliation of historical and cultural wrongs in Â鶹´«Ã½. The month-long virtual celebration spearheaded by the in collaboration with the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ commences on Thursday, September 2, in honor of Queen Liliʻuokalani¡¯s 183rd birthday.
This year, as Â鶹´«Ã½¡¯s crippling COVID-19 surge wells up revamped feelings of uncertainty and high case counts within the Native Hawaiian community, organizers hope members of the l¨¡hui (nation) will be inspired by milestones from the queen¡¯s legacy for guidance through the pandemic¡¯s challenges.
In 1881, Liliʻuokalani served as queen regent for her brother, King David Laʻamea Kal¨¡kaua, while he was on his year-long world tour. Just weeks after the king departed, a virulent outbreak of smallpox impacted Honolulu. To prevent the disease from spreading, Liliʻuokalani imposed a strict quarantine and was praised for saving thousands of lives.
“We hope people take away that Queen Liliʻuokalani was a leader that created solutions for our people and the larger community and took action even when it was a hard decision to make. Our Hawaiian history and our ʻike kupuna (ancestral wisdom) shows us the solutions and the path ahead,” said Malia Nobrega, director of strategic partnerships at Â鶹´«Ã½nuākea and who has helped organize the month-long celebration.
Among the wide variety of programs planned for the five-week online event will include a series of discussions on Hawaiian health. The from UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹¡¯s will participate in panel discussions during the event¡¯s third week of festivities.
- Related UH News post: 10 COVID-19 vaccine myths busted, August 26, 2021
Virtual events will also feature cinematography put together by UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹¡¯s highlighting the Liliʻu Project, a performing arts presentation which explores the queen through the lens of her music and poetry. The at UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ will also take the spotlight during the celebration. Program founder Tammy Hailiʻōpua Baker will present and shed light on the campus¡¯ mission to grow actors, playwrights, directors, designers, technicians and patrons in Indigenous Hawaiian theatre. .