Paukūkalo Community Center New Venue for Prince Kūhiō Day Hoʻolauleʻa

Preparing for Saturday’s 26th annual Prince Kuhio Day Ho‘olaule‘a are event chairwoman Velma Mariano (from left), Paukukalo resident Ernest Valle, his 3-year-old granddaughter Challyse-Fe Valle, Matthew Kailihou, and Anne Chipchase of event participant Project Vision Hawai‘i.

By Maui Now Staff

Organizers of this weekend’s Prince Kūhiō Day Hoʻolauleʻa have announced a new site for the 26th annual celebration.

The event will unfold at Paukūkalo Community Center, instead of at the adjoining Paukūkalo homestead park, which will be the site of a baseball tournament, according to hoʻolauleʻa chairwoman Velma Mariano.

The non-profit Paukukalo Hawaiian Homes Community Association will host the all-day event featuring halau performances, food concessions and health screenings.

The celebration’s entertainment stage, 16 food vendors, 11 community agencies and crafters will be arranged in and around the community center and an adjacent open-air basketball court, said Homestead District Operations Manager Mona Kapaku of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.

“We will make room for everyone,” Kapaku said.

Headlining entertainment will be Nā Wai ‘Eha, composed of youth from the Kawa‘a ‘ohana; recording artist Sheldon Brown, and Kaniloa Kamaunu.

Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana’ole is credited with the establishment of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act which set aside land for Hawaiian homesteads.  He was elected delegate to the US Congress when Hawaii was a territory, and was credited with restoring the Royal Order of Kamehameha I and establishing the Hawaiian Civic Club.

Proceeds from the event will benefit scholarships for homestead students.