Statehood Conference, August 21 at Hawai‘i Convention Center

HONOLULU – As Hawai‘i prepares to mark its 50th year as a state, the Hawai‘i 50^th Anniversary of Statehood Commission is sponsoring events across the state.

These events are giving communities on the Big Island, Kaua‘i, Maui and Lana‘i the opportunity to commemorate this important moment in Hawai‘i’s history and reflect on where our state is headed in the next 50 years.

“Statehood was a major turning point for our state, and 50 years later, we are proud of everything we have accomplished. I hope the residents of Hawai‘i will show their pride in our island home by attending local commemorations and learning more about our state’s history,” said Kippen de Alba Chu, chair of the 50th Anniversary of Statehood Commission.

Festivities on the Big Island include:

•  In Hilo on August 14, a commemoration ceremony will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium. The event will feature remarks from Mayor Billy Kenoi, a free concert from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. by The Makaha Sons and cultural performances.
•  On August 23 in Kona, a statehood event is being held in conjunction with the Kailua Village Business Association’s Ali‘i Drive Stroll from 1 to 4 p.m.

On Kaua‘i:

• Since July, visitors and kama‘aina have enjoyed musicians and hula dancers at Lihu‘e Airport. The entertainers, funded by the 50^th Anniversary of Statehood Commission, perform from 9 to 11 a.m. and from 6:30 to 9 p.m. The program is scheduled to continue through September.
• The Statehood Commission is sponsoring the Kaua‘i Mokihana Festival on September 20 and 21. Go to www.kauaifestivals.com for information about the shows.

On Maui:

• In Hana, “50 Years of Hawaiian Cultural Renaissance” will be celebrated August 21 at Hana Beach Park, beginning at 11 a.m.  Entertainment will include Eddie Kamae and The Sons of Hawai‘i, who are also observing their own 50^th anniversary. There will also be Hawaiian craft demonstrations, food and movie showings.

On Lana‘i:

• On August 15, a statehood event will take place from noon to 4 p.m. at the Four Seasons Resort Lana‘i at the Lodge at Koele. It will feature lei-making, information on Lâna‘i’s history, and music and hula.

In addition, time capsules are being buried throughout the state, helping Hawai‘i’s residents preserve this special moment for future generations.

On O‘ahu, the 50^th Anniversary of Statehood Commission will host a commemorative conference on August 21, at the Hawai‘i Convention Center. The one-day conference, titled “New Horizons for the Next 50 Years,” will bring together Hawai‘i citizens representing different industries and interests, to reflect on the accomplishments Hawai‘i has achieved since becoming a state, while exploring the vision for Hawai‘i’s next 50 years.

Visit www.hawaii.gov/statehood for information on statehood events.

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