The Royal Treatment: Saturday (October 16), 6-9pm, Waiola Church Grounds, Lahaina $35 Advance/$15 Keiki (free for 5yrs. and younger)
Did you see that silver screen atrocity, Princess Ka’iulani?* Throw all that sad misconception out the window for good, and immerse yourself in a community celebration of the princess’s real story, among people who still—more than a century after her passing—rejoice in Ka’iulani’s intellect, beauty and most importantly, her symbolism. As the last princess of the Kingdom of Hawaii, she represents not only the former glory of the Hawaiian monarchy and tragedy of the overthrow, but is a historic character worthy of aspiration. She was a compassionate Renaissance woman who triumphed in academia, athletics and art, and who took bold political action despite her tender age. of 23 when she died. To honor her 135th birthday, the Royal Order of Kamehameha is preparing a feast of, well, royal proportions, for attendees of the Lu’au O Ka’iulani to dine upon, augmented by the music of falsetto hero Richard Ho’opi’i. Ahead of a stage show depicting the life and times of Ka’iulani, a Hawaiian protocol ceremony with the Royal Order of Kamehameha, Hawaii Royal Order of Guards and the Royal Hawaiian Guard (following dinner), is sure to be as true to turn of the 20th century Hawaii as can be had in modern times. Other cultural treats include performances by Halau ‘O Keaunui ‘O Maui, Ehulani Kane, Wilmont Kamaunu Kahaiali’i and more. 264-6621; thekaiulaniproject.com
* What am I so pissed off about? Read about it HERE. My pain, in excerpt form:
“Princess Ka’iulani has many fatal flaws. But the biggest disservice it does is sidelining the monarch’s role in Hawaii’s overthrow for a soulless smooch fest—relegating our most enigmatic royal to a too-proud priss who engages in nothing but 130 minutes of B-roll barf.
(W)ith first-time writer/director Marc Forby at the helm of Princess Ka’iulani, the legacy of Hawaii’s last princess—and the overthrow at large—is not afforded even the glitz of a big-budget production. Shortcomings boil down to a lid-heavy pace, while Ka’iulani’s real story and the rapid-fire timeline of Hawaii’s overthrow should be the stuff of silver-screen gold.
Scarier still, this is the kind of crap you’ll soon find buried in a $5 DVD bin at a Walmart in the Midwest, forever warping unsuspecting minds.”
CLICK HERE for a story I wrote** about Ka’iulani (near her birthday) last year. I think I gave captain Jacob Shafer 3,000 words or more, but we had space for just a itty bitty bit.
CLICK HERE for an October 2009 This Week’s Pick about a different Ka’iulani birthday festival, held last year. There’s been a rumor circulating that since the festival usually held Upcountry has been canceled, the one that is being held Lahaina has been canceled, too. Not true. I got a frantic call from event coordinators yesterday, who hoped I hadn’t heard the rumor and nixed the Da Kine Calednar entry. They were pleased to find out that not only am I apparently not tuned into the rumor mill, I’d given the event a Pick.
HASTE MAKES WASTE
** With joy I’d been watching this coral-colored garden snail cross the walkway every morning like clockwork, and climb the wall to the window’s ledge. But on deadline morning, I was in such a rush, I ran hastily across the path and crushed him. Maybe one of the most awful moments of my life. Goodbye, garden friend.
There must be something weird about Ha’iku — or maybe just my yard — because not long after I killed my poor friend, I discovered this weird, red stick bug thing on the dart board. In all my life, I’ve never seen red insects like that anywhere else on the island.
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