The Hawaii State Public Library System (HSPLS) will present “He Lei, He Aloha: This is a Lei of Love, The Legacies of Queen Lili‘uokalani,” a free program celebrating the enduring legacies of Queen Lili‘uokalani, at 19 Neighbor Island public libraries and the Hawaii State Library (HSL) from Jan. 9 through Feb. 13.
The Hawaii State Public Library System (HSPLS) will present “He Lei, He Aloha: This is a Lei of Love, The Legacies of Queen Lili‘uokalani,” a free program celebrating the enduring legacies of Queen Lili‘uokalani, at 19 Neighbor Island public libraries and the Hawaii State Library (HSL) from Jan. 9 through Feb. 13.
This popular program was presented at nine Oahu public libraries in the fall of 2013 and received overwhelmingly positive feedback from those who attended. The deeply-moving, informative, and educational program brings Queen Lili‘uokalani “back to life” and shares her many legacies that live on today.
Queen Lydia Lili‘uokalani, the last reigning monarch of Hawaii, was renowned for her music, love for her homeland, and complete dedication to the needs of her people. The queen expressed her aloha for her people through her actions and the examples she set. This program will feature selected readings from “Hawaii’s Story by Hawaii’s Queen” written by Queen Lili‘uokalani, a sing-along of the queen’s music from “The Queen’s Songbook” published by Hui Hanai, a seven-minute film vignette “Ku‘u Aina Aloha” that expresses the love of these islands as inspired by the queen, and a brief talk story moderated by members of the ‘Iolani Guild of the Episcopal Church in Hawaii.
Meleanna Aluli Meyer, artist, art-educator, filmmaker, and descendant of Emma Nawahi, a close confidante of Queen Lili’uokalani, will serve as narrator for this participatory program. The Hawaii State Public Library System, Native Books/Na Mea Hawaii, The Queen Lili’uokalani Trust, Hui Hanai, Hawaiian Airlines, Alexander &Baldwin, the King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center, Pu‘uhonua Society and the ‘Iolani Guild of the Episcopal Church in Hawaii are sponsoring this 45-minute program that is suitable for ages 12 and older.
Contact the hosting library three weeks in advance (two weeks in advance for Hawaii State Library program) if a sign language interpreter or other special accommodation is needed for this event. For more information, please visit www.librarieshawaii.org or call the hosting library.
This schedule, however, is subject to change, said a library spokesman: 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, at Pahala Public &School Library (928-2015) and 6:30 p.m. at Keaau Public &School Library (982-4281); 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10, at Naalehu Public Library (939-2442); 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, at Kealakekua Public Library (323-7585) and 3 p.m. at Kailua-Kona Public Library (327-4327); 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 13, at North Kohala Public Library (889-6655); 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, at Thelma Parker Memorial Public &School Library (887-6067); 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, at Honokaa Public Library (775-8881); 1:15 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, at Laupahoehoe Public &School Library (962-2229), and 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, at Hilo Public Library (933-8888).
For more on the state library system, visit www.librarieshawaii.org.