Hundreds of people attended this year’s Hookuikahi Establishment Day Hawaiian Cultural Festival Saturday at Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site.
Hundreds of people attended this year’s Hookuikahi Establishment Day Hawaiian Cultural Festival Saturday at Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site.
This annual two-day celebration commemorated the annivesary of Hawaii kingdom’s founding and had a theme of Ke Kulana Noeau o Ka Wa Kahiko, or “The Culture of Ancient Hawaii.” Established as a National Historic Site Aug. 17, 1972, Puukohola Heiau continues to be a place where living history is perpetuated, and where efforts to bring the people of Hawaii together in pursuit of completing Kamehameha the Great’s unfinished good deeds is a primary objective.
The stone heiau at Kawaihae is one of the last major sacred structures built in Hawaii before outside influences altered ancient Hawaiian life permanently. Constructed in 1790-1791 by Kamehameha I, it ultimately led to his unification of the Hawaiian Islands and its people by 1810.
Festivities continued Sunday with cultural demonstrations, workshops and activities at Pelekane Bay, located just below Puukohola Heiau.
For more information, call 882-7218 or visit nps.gov/puhe.