NEWS RELEASE
Tribute celebrates support of community, education by Kamehameha III
Posted: August 5, 2021
Honolulu – August 5, 2021 – Kamehameha Schools celebrates the 20th Annual Tribute to Kamehameha III – A Birthday Celebration for Ka Lani Kauikeaouli – with a free virtual ‘aha mele (concert) on Saturday, August 14, from 5-7 p.m. The concert will live stream at www.ksbe.edu/kauikeaouli, ‘Ōlelo: Channel 53 (Hawaiian Tel) and Nā Leo TV: Channel 53 (Spectrum).
“Kauikeaouli was a visionary Ali‘i who placed great value on the importance of community and education by creating the kingdom’s first constitution and founding Hawai‘i’s free public education system,” said Kamehameha Schools Community Strategist Kaimana Barcarse. “With this virtual event, we invite viewers here at home and around the globe to honor a King whose wisdom and desire to progress lifted all of Hawai‘i.”
The concert, which will be staged at the Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay, will allow ‘ohana and friends to gather in the comfort of their homes to enjoy the sight and sounds from Moku o Keawe. KAPA radio personalities, “Jaz and Ka‘ea,” will host the celebration spotlighting mele and hula performances by Keolanui featuring David Ka‘io, Elmer Jr. “Sonny” Lim, Nathan “Keola” Grace and Kevin Kealoha, Hālau Ka‘eaikahelelani, Chadd Paishon & Friends, and Kainani Kahaunaele.
Each year, the celebration highlights an organization that extols the virtues that Kauikeaouli lived and loved – kaiāulu a me ho‘ona‘auao – community and education. This year, KS is proud to support the efforts of the Hawai‘i Council of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs whose members effectively advocate for the educational, civic, health, cultural, economic and social well-being of our lāhui. Last year’s event was canceled due to the COVID-19 restrictions.
A special tribute to Kauikeaouli took place on July 6, 2021 with a ceremony at the historic place of his birth at Keauhou Bay.
