Ige Inauguration Festivities Mark Start of Gubernatorial Term

Ige Inauguration, image & graphics by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

Between 2,000 and 3,000 people are expected to attend today’s inauguration festivities for Governor-elect David Ige.

Pre-event festivities begin at 10:30 a.m., with the official program starting at 11:15 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 1, 2014, at the State Capitol Rotunda.

The ceremony will include participation from students at Pearl City High School, where Ige earned his diploma; and a procession by veterans from the 100th Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team.

The National anthem will be led by Raiatea Helm, and the Rev. Danny Akaka, Jr. will lead the Invocation, followed by a 19-cannon salute by the Hawaii National Guard.

At noon, Governor-elect Ige and Lieutenant Governor Shan Tsutsui will take the oath of office in the Capitol Rotunda.

Because of the inauguration, the statewide monthly emergency siren test has been moved to tomorrow, Dec. 2, 2014. It’s usually conducted on the first working day of the month, but was moved because of conflicts with today’s inauguration events.

Members of the public who plan to attend today’s festivities are encouraged to take TheBus or park in private lots near the Capitol. Street parking around the Capitol will be reserved for school buses for students attending the events and state parking lots will be closed.

Inauguration festivities continue at the State Capitol from 12:45 to 3 p.m. and include tours of the governor’s office, as well as performances by: Taiko drums and Shishimai lion dogs dance by HUOA; Bamboo dance, flamenco, and bamboo candle dance by Miss Oahu Filipina 2014; Japanese Minyo classical dance; Scottish pipes and drums to be followed by Scottish country society dancing by Celtic Pipes and Drums of Hawaiʻi and the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society; Korean classical dancing by Halla Huhm Korean Dance Troupe 7; Chinese lion dance and fan dance by Spencer Robinson; and Hula hālau.