Kamehameha Festival
The Kamehameha Festival (Festival) is part of the Kamehameha Day celebration that was first established in 1871 as a national holiday of the Kingdom of Hawai‘i. Kamehameha Day honors the memory of Kamehameha who united the Hawaiian Islands in 1810 to became Hawai‘i’s first King. The Royal Order of Kamehameha I, Māmala Hoa (Māmala Hoa), has been involved in the presentation of the Kamehameha Day Celebration in Hilo, Hawai‘i since 1908. In more modern times Māmala Hoa has presented the Kamehameha Day celebration on Moku Ola (Island of Life) in Hilo Bay since 1985. In 2008 Māmala Hoa revitalized Hilo’s Kamehameha Day celebration with an expanded and more culturally significant event called the Kamehameha Festival (Festival).
Today the Festival continues to honor Kamehameha and acts to protect, preserve, and perpetuate the Hawaiian culture by sharing traditional Hawaiian dance, music, chant, practices, arts, and crafts with thousands of island residents and visitors from around the world. Proudly presented by Māmala Hoa, the Kamehameha Festival is held every year on Kamehameha Day (June 11) in Hilo, Hawai‘i on Moku Ola (Island of Life). The Festival begins at 10:00 am and ends at 5:00 pm, is free and open to the public, and remains an alcohol, smoke, and drug free event.
Mālama Mauna Kea
For scientist and astronomers the summit of Mauna Kea is recognized as the world’s premier location to observe the universe. However, for Hawaiians, the summit is recognized and respected as an extremely sacred place. For Hawaiians, it is here that Wakea, the sky father, and Papa, the earth mother, gave birth to the Hawaiian Islands. Early Polynesians considered their highest points of land as the most sacred; and Mauna Kea being the highest mountain in Polynesia, was considered the most sacred place of all. The difference between these two perspectives is the basis of much controversy and contention regarding the use and development of Mauna Kea.
Due to the sacred nature of Mauna Keaʻs summit and the continuing threat of additional development, the Royal Order of Kamehameha I, Māmala Hoa maintains a standing committee to care for Mauna Kea. The committee collaborates with environmentalist, Hawaiian activist, individuals, and other groups dedicated to the protection, preservation, and perpetuation of the natural and cultural resources of Mauna Kea.
“We, by our protocols, must protect the iwi (bones) of our ancestors and all that is sacred to our kingdom. The Royal Order of Kamehameha is prepared to protect and defend the integrity and honor of Mauna Kea and the Native Hawaiian people . We will continue to be involved in working with the people of Hawai`i towards lasting protection and oversight of Mauna Kea that the people can be proud of.”
Aliʻi ‘Ai Moku, Paul Neves
Royal Order of Kamehameha I, Māmala Hoa
12/21/01
Haʻa Koa
Ha‘a Koa Defined: Ha‘a is the Hawaiian word referring to the ancient (pre-hula) “bent-knee dance” that was performed by kāne (men) while koa is the Hawaiian word for “warrior.” The term Ha‘a Koa translates to Warrior Dance or Dance of the Warrior. The Ha‘a Koa is a kāne (masculine) protocol that is clearly and uniquely Hawaiian; Hawaiian in language, movement, ‘ike (thinking), and mana (spiritual power). The Ha‘a Koa is not a particular dance, but refers to a type or category of dance that falls within an established criteria. As such, a particular Ha‘a Koa may be a modern composition or consist of an ancient ha‘a that may be hundreds of years old.
The Ha‘a Koa is rooted in traditional Hawaiian practices including the lua (martial art), hula (dance), and oli (chant), and may include the use of musical instruments such as the ipu and pahu (percussion instruments) as well as mea kaua (war implements). In essence, the Ha‘a Koa celebrates the spirit of the ancient Koa and the virtues of Aloha (love & compassion), Koa (valiant & courage), Lōkahi (unity & peace), Kupa‘a (firm & loyal), and Mana (power & authority).
Benefits of the Ha‘a Koa
Unify and Empower:
The Ha‘a Koa may be used to unify and empower a hui (group) for a challenge at hand. Whether it is overcoming addiction or preparing for a difficult journey.
Political Activism:
The Ha‘a Koa may be used as a cultural rallying cry. Kanaka ‘Ōiwi (aboriginal peoples of Hawai‘i) rights and benefits are consistently challenged and continue to be at risk. The Ha‘a Koa can be used to focus attention on issues affecting Hawaiian’s today. For example, doing a Ha‘a Koa at the Hawai‘i State Capitol.
Conduit to Mana:
Mana (spiritual power) is the driving force of the Kanaka ‘Ōiwi. The Ha‘a Koa may be used to fill one’s body with mana drawn from the honua (earth). Spectators of this process may also experience mana.
Means to Reconnect:
The Ha‘a Koa is both a remembrance of who Kanaka ‘Ōiwi were and an awakening of what they may become. It takes them back, if only for a moment, and reconnects them to their warrior ancestors and inspires them to press forward as warriors in today’s world.
New Hawaiian Icon:
The Ha‘a Koa celebrates a dimension of the Hawaiian culture that has been absent for too long, the strong Hawaiian male. Hawai‘i and Kanaka ‘Ōiwi are often associated with and recognized for Hula Dancers, Aloha Shirts, Pineapples, and Flower Leis, but Hawai‘i was also the home of a proud warrior society. The Ha‘a Koa can be that symbol and icon of Hawai‘i’s warrior heritage.
Sign of Respect and Honor:
The Ha‘a Koa is a symbol of the Kanaka ‘Ōiwi warrior heritage as well as the warrior spirit Kanaka ‘Ōiwi strive to emulate today. To share this aspect of the Hawaiian culture with a loved one, individual, or guest is a sign of great respect and honor.
Pre-Competition Protocol:
A shared Ha‘a Koa that celebrates a team’s skills and strengths does not disrespect the opposition nor is it designed to do so. However, when delivered with power, purpose, and unity, the Ha‘a Koa may very well challenge, dishearten, and intimidate a foe.
The Royal Order of Kamehameha I, Māmala Hoa endorses the learning and use of the Ha‘a Koa and periodically conducts Ha‘a Koa workshops to teach and perpetuate this aspect of the culture.
Kahu O Moku Ola
During the time of Kamehameha Moku Ola was a Pu‘uhonua (Safe Place) consisting of a great heiau (temple) complex that extended along the island’s shoreline. It was a place of refuge, a sacred place of mana (spiritual power) that protected and sheltered all who reached it. Today, Moku Ola remains a significant cultural resource recognized for its powers of healing and purification. The Royal Order of Kamehameha I, Māmala Hoa (Māmala Hoa) has honored Kamehameha on Moku Ola with the presentation of the Kamehameha Day celebrations on the island since 1985. During this period, Māmala Hoa has taken on the role of kahu (guardian) of Moku Ola with the kuleana (responsibility) to protect, preserve, and perpetuate the natural, cultural, and spiritual, resources of this wahi pana (sacred place).
Māmala Hoa Scholarship
Established by Heiau O Māmala Hoa of the Royal Order of Kamehameha I, the Māmala Hoa Academic Scholarship Program is designed to inspire and assist Kanaka ‘Ōiwi (aboriginal peoples of Hawai‘i) students in their pursuit of a higher education (undergraduate, graduate, or doctorate degrees). The mission of the program is to identify and develop leaders that will one day benefit the Hawaiian community. Awards are based on financial need, cultural integrity, and academic promise. Recipients are required to provide community service in Hawai‘i as a part of the program. Applicants must be of Hawaiian descent and residents of Hilo, Puna, Hamakua, or Ka‘u.
Māmala Hoa Award
This prestigious award is presented annually by Māmala Hoa on Kamehameha Day to an exemplary community leader, who has dedicated his life to the protection, preservation, and perpetuation of the Hawaiian culture.
Note: The inaugural 2010 Māmala Hoa Award was bestowed on Paul Neves in front of thousands of attendees at the June 11 Kamehameha Festival on Moku Ola, Hilo’s Coconut Island. Neves was recognized for his exemplary participation, achievement and leadership in defending, preserving, and perpetuating the Hawaiian culture over the last 35 years. Neves is a kumu hula with three hula halau based in Hawaii, California and Washington, D.C.
A recognized cultural expert and advocate of Native Hawaiian rights, Neves has made presentations regarding Native Hawaiian issues throughout Hawaii and elsewhere in the United States, Switzerland, the Cook Islands, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Puerto Rico and at the United Nations in New York city. A 20-year pastoral associate of the Roman Catholic Church, Neves also served as the past
Ali’i ‘Aimoku (chief executive officer) of Māmala Hoa, or Hilo Chapter, of the Royal Order of Kamehameha I (1996-2009).
