This Saturday, August 8th, marked the formal, ceremonial reopening of Hawaiian Hall at the Bishop Museum. It began at 7am with chanting at the Bernice Street gate. Assembled in solemn procession were dignitaries accompanied by beautiful, multi-colored kāhili of various shapes and sizes, my favorite being the peacock feathered one. Following them were the royal benevolent societies: Royal Order of Kamehameha; ‘Ahahui Ka‘ahumanu; Hale o Nā Ali‘i o Hawai‘i; and ‘Ahahui Māmakakaua all dressed in their splendid regalia. As the chanting cantillated over the fields of Kaiwi‘ula, members of the warrior group, Pā Ku‘ialua, flanked the procession. It was an awesome site reminiscent of the Huaka‘i aloali‘i (royal entourage) of old.
After circuiting the grounds and museum proper, the procession seated themselves in front of the grand entry festooned in lei of fern and flowers. Beautiful floral kāhili of fern and yellow orchids also decorated the staging area. Manu Boyd officiated and narrated the welcome which included a message from the Honorable Neil Abercrombie, U.S. Congressman and a message from the Honorable Senator Daniel Akaka through his son, Kaniala Akaka of Moku o Keawe. Bishop Museum CEO, Tim Johns, welcomed the assembly saying “We believe the re-opening of the hall to be a present day tribute to both the glorious past and future of the Hawaiian people." Also one of the architects spoke. Ralph Appelbaum Associates of New York and Hawai‘i based Mason Architects and Health Construction Services were responsible for planning, design, and construction.
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