Oahu Inside Out March-April 2016 by Morris Media Network

InsideOu

THE RESOURCE GUIDE TO OUR ISLAND

OAHU

Street Scene

MARCH + APRIL 2016

Honolulu Festival performers bring Kalākaua Avenue to life

FIRST LADY

The Moana Surfrider celebrates its 150th year

LEI OF THE LAND

Hawai‘i’s connection to a historical march

CLASS ACT

Student chefs shine during the annual L’ulu at LCC

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Contents D e pa rt m e n ts ISLAND LIFE

6 Journey to Peace A theme of cultural unity defines the annual Honolulu Festival. Mo rsels

8 Class Act Leeward Community College student chefs pair with the pros during L’ulu.

10 Sheldon Simeon The Big Island native has settled on the Valley Isle and plans to soon open a new casual restaurant.

12 Bombs Away! The Broadway sensation, “The Book of Mormon,” comes knocking at the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall for a three-week engagement. O U T A N D A BO U T

INS AND OUTS

14 Events and Celebrations Mark your calendars to

32 Not to Miss Don’t be fooled on April 1 by the Boys Bunch.

F e at u r e s 16 Grand Dame of Waikīkī On March 11, the Moana Surfrider will celebrate its 115th birthday. The iconic property holds many stories and even some unsolved mysteries. by Simplico Paragas 22 March of the Lei When Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and fellow Freedom Marchers made their historic walk to Montgomery, Ala., they wore a symbol from Hawai‘i. by Kristen Nemoto 2

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MA U K A T O MA K A I

28 Choose Green Two local groups will recognize Earth Day by organizing an outdoor festival and beach cleanup. 30 Duking it Out Set your sights on the 31st Annual Duke Kahanamoku Beach Challenge at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

MU S I N G S

attend a concert or join the fun at a block party.

(clockwise from top left) ©MOANA SURFRIDER, A WESTIN RESORT & SPA; ©lehua waipa ahnee/bivb; ©honolulu festival foundation

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MVP | HAWAII | ADVERTISING & CIRCULATION Kathleen Pahinui PUBLISHER

kathleen@insideouthawaii.com Karen Rodriguez REGION PRESIDENT

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MVP | EDITORIAL Simplicio Paragas SENIOR EDITOR

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InsideOut Magazine (ISSN 2158-494X) is produced by Morris Visitor Publications (MVP), a division of Morris Communications Co., LLC, 725 Broad St. Augusta, GA 30901. Annual subscription rate is $18 or $32 for two years. To subscribe, email: miao@insideouthawaii.com. Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of content prohibited without written permission. InsideOut Hawaii will not accept responsibility for submitted materials that are lost or stolen.

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ÂŠJOAN MARCUS

CEO AND PRESIDENT

ed itor’s l etter

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Then and Now

©Joan Marcus

Change is good. With this new issue we’ve reduced the size but not the content. We’ll still cover the latest events and festivals, the dining scene and the arts. And our feature stories will always recognize the citizens who make our community a special place to live and play. One such person is Kehaulani Kam, who has a fountain of knowledge about the Moana Surfrider, which will celebrate its 115th birthday on March 11. Another revered individual is the late Rev. Abraham Akaka, who sent plumeria lei as a symbol of support and unity to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and fellow Freedom Marchers as they made their historic walk from Selma to Montgomery, Ala., on March 21, 1965. In a different type of alliance, Kumu Kahua Theatre’s Donna Blanchard and The ARTS at Marks Garage’s Rich Richardson have joined forces to unify

In the 1920s, guests at the Moana Surfrider enjoyed the beachfront property, which included the Moana Pier that was taken down in 1930.

the downtown art community. Cultural unity and ethnic harmony have always been the goals of the Honolulu Festival, which will feature over 130 performers from Japan and other Asia-Pacific nations. In April, another group will gather in Waikīkī to compete in the 31st Annual Duke Kahanamoku Beach Challenge, a tribute to whom many consider the best in the pantheon of great watermen. April will also mark Earth Day, giving community members a chance to participate in a beach cleanup with Sustainable Coastlines Hawai‘i or attend a festival organized by University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s Student Sustainability Coalition of Hawai‘i.

on the cover More than 130 performers from Japan and AsiaPacific will participate in a lively parade in Waikīkī. ©Honolulu Festival Foundation

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Journey to Peace The atmosphere is palpable. As taiko thump and ‘ukulele strum throughout the Convention Center, the high-energy mood among attendees is always one of friendship. And that’s the point. As it has done for the past 21 years, the Honolulu Festival will promote world unity by shedding light on Asia,

Honolulu festival More than 130 performers from Japan and other AsiaPacific countries will delight attendees during this threeday event.

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Pacific and Hawaiian cultures. This year’s theme is “Cultural Harmony, Journey to Peace.” “The annual Honolulu Festival is a wonderful opportunity for residents and visitors to learn about different cultures from around the world through dance, music, arts, and crafts,” says Tsukasa Harufuku,

president of the Honolulu Festival Foundation. “This year, we are very excited to expand our reach to Europe, as we welcome the festival’s very first group from Italy. We look forward to welcoming more groups from around the world in the coming years.” Over 130 performers from Japan and other Asia-

©honolulu festival foundation

A theme of cultural unity defines this annual festival, which promotes understanding and ethnic harmony. by Gina Bailey

©honolulu festival foundation

Pacific countries — such as the Philippines, South Korea and Taiwan — will travel to our island to celebrate the true meaning of this theme by sharing and discovering one another’s talents. The main lineup of activities, including the “make-and-take” craft and anime fairs, and the series of staged performances, will take place at the Convention Center from March 12-13. The festival kicks off on March 11 with the Friendship Gala, which serves as a fundraiser to support educational and cultural programs in Hawai‘i. Expect cultural entertainment and performances, along with a selection of entrées to enjoy from many of Hawai‘i’s premier chefs. The Grand Parade, a procession of elaborate floats, dragon heads, painted faces and beating drums will begin to parade through Waikīkī at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 13. The night will conclude with the Nagaoka Fireworks Show at 8:30 p.m., known as one of the largest fireworks displays in Japan, and a gift from Honolulu’s sister city. For a detailed schedule of events, visit honolulufestival.com.✽

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Class Act

S tudent chefs partner with the pros to stage an evening of fine food and wine. by Simplicio Paragas

Even though she graduated with her associate’s degree last year, Amanda Cauley still refers to her notes, relying heavily on what she learned from her chef instructors at Leeward Community College’s culinary arts program. 8

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Now a chef de partie at a casual upscale restaurant in Montgomery, Ala., Cauley keeps in touch with her instructors, thanking them for their guidance and their knowledge. “I’m using what I learned in class every

day,” Cauley says. “And now I’m using what they taught me to help those who don’t necessarily have the experience of working in a fine-dining kitchen.” One of Cauley’s fondest memories of the program was LCC’s annual L’ulu, named so because of the surrounding breadfruit (ulu) trees on campus. Originally themed “Taste of the Stars,” L’ulu has become the program’s signature “open-house” event that allows attendees

©l’ulu

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©l’ulu

to walk through the kitchen labs and check out the facilities. Fern Yoshida laughed when she thought about her experience with the first “Taste of The Stars” fund-raiser 16 years ago. “It started off small,” recalls Yoshida, former coordinator for Leeward Community College’s culinary program. “It was only attended by 300 people and we raised just enough to buy one oven.” The event has come a long way since it started in 2000 as a “pots-andpans” fundraiser, which has since evolved into one of the hottest epicurean events on the island. It has consistently attracted some of the island’s top chefs who are committed to helping the smaller — compared to Kapiolani Community College — culinary program. Indeed the goal has always been to raise money for the culinary program. In the early 2000s, the labs were lacking in every possible way, from size to equipment. Today, new kitchen equipment, refrigeration, multistage renovations and professional development have all been possible, thanks to this annual fundraiser.

“It was such a huge undertaking,” Yoshida says. “When I think back to those days, I’m really grateful for all the support we received from the entire campus and the leeward community.” They now also enjoy the full support of local farmers, ranchers and aquaculturists, who

all seek to manage our natural resources and environment in a sustainable manner and reshape the local marketplace. “I hope to make it back to attend one day,” says Cauley of L’ulu. “It was amazingly fun and it was great to see everything come together.”✽

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L’ulu: may 7 Tickets cost $100 per person through April 29 and $125 thereafter. For sponsorship or general information, contact: Fabi Castellano at 455-0300 or Tommylynn Benavente at 455-0298.

Inside O utHawaii .com

PR O F I LE

Chef Sheldon Simeon

Big Island-native Sheldon Simeon became a household name after placing third in Season 10 of Bravo’s “Top Chef.” We caught up with the popular chef as he was gearing up to open his own new casual restaurant. by Patti Poblete

harvested their food, raised animals in their backyard. They didn’t have to go to a store; it was all there, on the land around them. And my dad was always seen as our family’s caterer. Every family party, he was the cook. So they passed down that appreciation of the land and local products on to me.

What are the biggest influences on your approach to food and cooking?

I’d have to say my upbringing — starting with my grandparents. They came from the Philippines and worked on the sugar cane and pineapple plantations on the Big Island. They grew and 10

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A lot has happened since you were on “Top Chef.” What kind of opportunities did that open for you?

Oh, man, that was crazy. There were so many opportunities after that, like restaurants in New York and Los Angeles. People really wanted me to bring my modern take on Filipino

food to their kitchens. But I decided to stay on Maui. For many who are familiar with traditional Filipino food, your dishes may not look like Filipino food at all. Do you ever get complaints or comments about that?

(Laughing) Oh, yeah. I remember I was participating in this culinary event once in Maui. I had my tweezers and squeeze bottles out while I was plating. And I heard two older Filipino women behind me saying, “What is that? That’s not Filipino

©simplicio paragas

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Citrus Lavender Fizz cocktail recipes courtesy of sunkist® and adapted by alison kent. images courtesy of www.sunkist.com.

makes: about 1 cup for a non-alcoholic option, turn this into a mocktail by simply omitting the gin. 1½ ozs gin 3 tbsp freshly squeezed ruby red grapefruit juice 3 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice 2 tbsp Lavender simple syrup 1/3 cup chilled sparkling water (approx)

©shutterstock

in a cocktail shaker with ice, combine gin, grapefruit and lemon juices, and simple syrup. shake, then strain into a tall glass filled with ice cubes. top with sparkling water and garnish with a half-wheel of ruby red grapefruit.

unexpected elegance Leeward Community College Open for lunch on Wednesdays through Fridays during the Fall and Spring semsters.

For reservations, please call 455-0475

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to make Lavender simple syrup: in a small saucepan, bring 1 cup water, 1 cup sugar and 1 tbsp dried lavender buds to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. reduce heat and simmer for two minutes. remove from heat and let stand for five minutes. strain through a fine-mesh sieve (or line a strainer with a coffee filter) and let cool completely. keep sealed in the refrigerator for up to three weeks. m ar c h + apr i l 2 0 1 6

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m u si ng s

“It has been two-anda-half years in the works,” Jack Lucas, president of the show’s presenter, WestCoast Entertainment and TicketsWest, told reporters during a press conference last October. “As some of you know, the process of bringing a huge

Offensive, maybe. Hilarious, certainly. Vulgar and crass, definitely. And you can expect the F-Bombs a-flying when the Broadway sensation “The Book of Mormon” rings the doorbell at the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall. 12

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musical like ‘The Book of Mormon’ over to the Islands is a huge task — there were a lot of moving parts and it really took a village to make this happen.” Written and composed by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the co-creators of

©joan marcus

Satirizing the religious tenets of Mormonism, this award-winning musical hits all the right notes. Be prepared to laugh when the “Book of Mormon” comes knocking. by Simplicio Paragas

the popular television series “South Park,” in collaboration with Robert Lopez, the co-creator of Broadway musical “Avenue Q,” the religious satire on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been hailed as the “best musical of the century.” Playing the role of Elder Cunningham, A.J. Holmes recalls seeing the show for the very first time with his grandmother who, after at the end of the profanitylaced musical, turned to him and said, “that was f***’n fabulous.” “It was like winning the lotto when I got the part,” Holmes told Loretta Ables Sayre, the moderator of the entertaining talk-story-like press conference, which was also attended by Billy Harrigan Tighe who plays Elder Price. “It was a pipe dream and here I am.” Without revealing too much about the show, the musical evokes the traditional clichés about book-toting Mormons who travel in pairs and wear crisp white shirts with neckties and black trousers. In this storyline, Tighe and Holmes are sent to Uganda to proselytize the gospel of

©johan persson

Bombs Away!

everyone’s doing the best that they can to make sure it all happens in the right way, so it’s an exciting time to bring the show to Hawai‘i, when it’s so early in its life.” The Book of Mormon continues to sell-out at Broadway’s Eugene O’Neil Theatre. The show earned nine 2011 Tony Awards including Best Musical. The London production won four Olivier Awards in April 2014. The New York Times called it “Heaven on Broadway” and “a celebration of the

privilege of living inside that improbable paradise called a musical comedy,” while the Los Angeles Times lauded “It’s hard to imagine anyone topping the ding-dong hilarity.” The bottom line, added Tighes, about themselves as actors and characters in the show: “Take care of each other and earth … we can all work together for this paradise.” “I know the staff and the actors of ‘The Book of Mormon’ are so excited that they could come to Hawai‘i,” Lucas said, “and we are excited to bring them here as well.”✽

the book of mormon Tickets are available at the Blaisdell box office, Ticketmasster. com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Single ticket prices start at $37.

©joan marcus

©johan persson

the Book of Mormon. “It’s a bromance,” Tighe quipped. “We’re like the odd couple with a lot of high, youthful energy.” The musical’s limited three-week Hawaii tour will kick off on April 13 and run until May 1. During this time, a total of 23 shows will be held, including two that will be held each Saturday and Sunday. “As a group, we’ve been on tour all across the country and I know our crew is very excited to figure out how to logistically get the show here,” Tighe said. “I know

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o u t a n d ab o ut

Events and Celebrations There’s a lot to see this spring, from Robert Cazimero at the Moana to the debut of Eric Yokomori’s “Pelicans” at Kumu Kahua Theatre. Here’s a quick glance at events and shows during March and April.

Merrie Monarch

March 27April 2 It’s that time of the year again when hālau hula trek to Hilo, and kama‘āina and visitors gather to see each hālau’s technically trained students perform ‘auana and kahiko hula, choreographed by its respected kumu. It’s the annual Merrie Monarch Festival, and this year marks its 53rd anniversary. Competition takes place at the Edith Kanaka‘ole Tennis Stadium and the Afook Chinen Civic Auditorium. www.merriemonarch.com

Murphy’s Bar & Grill will be awash in green during its annual St. Paddy’s Day block party. Enjoy live music, pints, and corned beef and cabbage. Prince kŪhiŌ parade March 26

This Waikīkī parade honors the accomplishments of Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana‘ole. Starts at 10 a.m. hapalua half marathon April 10

Sketch Time

In the Hapalua Chase, the best local runners from Hawai‘i get a head start on some of the best professional runners in the world. The pros will chase down the local runners to the finish line. 14

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March 31-April 1 For two days, some of Hawai‘i’s top sketch artists will perform their comedic acts at the Honolulu Museum of Art. Unlike stand-up or improv, sketch comedy is made up of a series of short comedy scenes or vignettes, called “sketches,” which are rehearsed by actors and commonly last between one and 10 minutes long. Think of scenes from “Saturday Night Live” or “Portlandia.” www.hisketchfest.com |

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Mele at the Moana

April 29 A prolific composer and highly respected kumu hula, Robert Cazimero will be the guest performer at the Mele at the Moana concert series. Instrumental in the resurgence of Hawaiian music and culture in the 1970s, Cazimero’s compositions include such hits as compositions, “Pane Mai,” “My Sweet Pikake Lei” and “E Ku‘u Lei.” www.starwoodhawaii.com

Coming of Age

March 24-April 24 Eric Yokomori debuts his “Pelicans” at Kumu Kahua Theatre. This is a dark, humorous, revenge-comedy story about the coming of age of young men. www.kumukahua.org

(clockwise from left) ©lehua waipa ahnee/BIVB; courtesy robert cazimero; courtesy kimee balmilero; courtesy kumu kahua theatre

st. patrick’s day party March 17

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First-person experiences are always the best, that’s why we’re giving away a GoPro Hero 4. —@WhereTraveler

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(clockwise from left) ©lehua waipa ahnee/BiVB; courtesy roBert cazimero; courtesy kimee Balmilero; courtesy kumu kahua theatre

—@WhereHawaii

Mahalo @ InsideOut for the story on our gala event. —@PacificAviation

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Grand Dame of Waik朝k朝 A storied past has endured for 115 years. by Simplicio Paragas

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The ghost of Jane Stanford still haunts the second floor of the Moana Surfrider, where the Stanford University co-founder was allegedly poisoned with strychnine and died from it in 1905. For the past decade, Kehaulani Kam has shared such chicken-skin stories — and others — among the hotel’s guests and employees. “She has such a wealth of knowledge,” says Monterey, Calif., resident Stan DuBose, who was taking Kam’s historical tour of the property with a dozen other visitors. “I’ve been staying at the Surfrider since 1989 and I never knew it had such a great history.” As the First Lady of Waikīkī celebrates her 115th birthday on March 11, Kam expects an increase interest in the history of the property, which opened its doors in 1901 with the all the pomp and circumstance befitting of royalty. An orchestra played while well-heeled travelers sauntered through the atrium and rode Hawai‘i’s first-ever electric elevator to the fourth floor. “They entered into luxury,” Kam tells attendees, pointing to historical images of the hotel. “Each room had its own bathroom, which was unheard of in those days. There was also a telephone in each room. “But I don’t think they had the heavenly beds back then,” quips Kam, Starwood Hawai‘i’s director of cultural services and a familiar face at the Starwood

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©Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa

The Moana Hotel Orchestra entertained guests on the fourth floor. The mother of the late Jack Magoon, who as president of Hawaiian Airlines helped bring Hawai‘i into the jet age, sits on a railing at the Moana Pier.

Waikīkī properties for the past 45 years. “The rooms did have a shortwave radio but, of course, no television.” By the early 1900s, with more visitors arriving to the islands by steamship, Walter C. Peacock proposed to build Waikīkī’s first true beachfront property. At the time, only bathhouses and bungalows were available in downtown Honolulu and at the San Souci Hotel. When ground broke for what would then be Hawai‘i’s only luxury resort in 1899, Kalākaua Avenue was still named Waikīkī Road and an electric trolley ran parallel along the street, transporting passengers into town. Built for $150,000, the hotel was designed in the Beaux Arts style with Hawaiian plantation influences. The porte cochère, grand atrium, intricate plaster detailing on the ceiling, arched doors and windows and curving staircases represented a sense of opulence never seen before on the islands. Meaning “broad expanse of ocean,” Moana lived up to its name with the crowning achievement of a rooftop observatory 120 feet off the ground, lit by more than 300 lamps. The hotel’s first guests in 1901 were a group of 114 Shriners who paid a lofty $1.50 per night for their well-appointed rooms, which were furnished with colonial chairs, marble washstands, writing desks and tables. “It was all glitz and glamour,” Kam says. “No expense was spared.” Peacock would later sell the hotel to Honolulu businessman Alexander Young in 1905. After Young’s death in 1910, his estate continued to operate the Moana, which was expanded in 1918 to include a fifth and sixth floor along with two concrete wings that create the famous “H” shape recognized today. Another prominent feature of the

No one asked which banyan tree. It was well known that it was the banyan at the Moana. It was planted in 1904 and some believe that the hotel was built around the tree. It’s become the iconic symbol of the Moana Surfrider.

©Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa

– KE HAUL A N I K A M

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ÂŠMoana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa

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property is the legendary Indian banyan tree, which was the gathering place that prompted the hotel’s slogan “Meet You Beneath the Banyan Tree.” “No one asked which banyan tree,” Kam says. “It was well known that it was the banyan at the Moana.” In 1935, Webley Edwards launched “Hawai‘i Calls,” a Hawaiian music radio program that would eventually be heard in 60 different countries. Broadcasted from the courtyard of the Moana, the show would promote the islands with the lure of hula, music and the sound of lapping waves. It went off-air in 1975 after 40 years and 2,083 shows. Meanwhile, as Matson Navigation Company ferried more wealthy visitors to O‘ahu, its subsidiary, Hawaiian Hotels LTD, bought the Moana for $1.6 million in 1932, five years after it opened the Royal Hawaiian in 1927. The company would later add to its family of hotels with the opening of the Surfrider (today the Diamond Wing) in 1952 and Princess Kai‘ulani in 1955. However, with the attack on Pearl Harbor by Japanese forces on the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, all leisure travel ceased. Barbed wire stretched across the beaches to prevent further attacks and blackout restrictions were enforced. Matson’s largest hotel, The Royal Hawaiian, was leased to the U.S. Navy for $17,000 a month and used as a rest-and-relaxation center. The Moana, though, remained open as a guest hotel but it was predominantly occupied by servicemen or defense-related personnel. After WWII, tourism began to boom with the advent of regularly scheduled passenger flights to Hawai‘i, greatly impacting the number of passengers who were embarking on

Matson’s steamships bound for O‘ahu. In 1958, Matson sold all of its four hotels to Sheraton for $18 million. Sheraton later sold the Moana and the Royal Hawaiian to Japanese industrialist, Kenji Osano and his Kyo-Ya Company, Ltd., in 1974. “It was a time of change,” Kam explains. “In the ’60s and ’70s, the pillars weren’t here. The owners thought that the pillars and the porte cochère were passé, so they squared off the pillars and put up a green awning over the porte cochère.” Fortunately, in 1989, The First Lady of Waikīkī was restored to her glory after an extensive two-year restoration. Though the Moana has changed throughout the decades, its architectural features have not been lost. Today, the hotel takes its place among America’s leading hotels listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It also has a place among “ghostbusters” who come with their spectrometers in hopes of resolving the “Mystery at the Moana.” “Mrs. Stanford is still here,” Kam smiles. “Guests have told me that she has tapped them on the shoulder looking for her room. And employees have seen her in the basement and other parts of the hotel, too.”✽

(Opposite page) Island residents gave lau hala weaving and ‘ukulele lessons on the beach. Many would walk the pier to enjoy the views. Two concrete wings were added, which helped create the hotel’s famous “H” shape.

a step back in time

In honor of its rich history, Moana Surfrider, a Westin Resort & Spa offers complementary historical tours at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The tour starts on the second floor of the Banyan Wing where the hotel has constructed its own historical room displaying memorabilia dating back to the early 1900s. m ar c h + apr i l 2 0 1 6

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March of the Lei

The story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s connection and shared aloha spirit with the people of Hawai‘i. by Kristen Nemoto

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on the footsteps of Selma, Alabama’s Brown Chapel, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. turned to the thousands of protesters and spectators and said: “… Walk together, children, don’t you get weary, and it will lead us to the Promised Land. And Alabama will be a new Alabama, and America will be a new America.”

(Previous spread) Freedom Marchers proudly wear plumeria lei prior to their final march attempt. (This spread from left) Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gives a sermon; Pualani Akaka helps her father, Rev. Abraham Akaka give out lei in 1996.

It was an encouraging message and one in sharp contrast to the previous four-week turmoil that Dr. King Jr. and fellow protesters endured while attempting to march 54 miles from Selma to Montgomery, Ala. Despite the years of persecutions, lynchings and social injustice, nonviolent demonstrators persevered, representing a symbol of hope and peace in the face of fear and ignorance. Their courage would finally spark the nation’s attention to civil rights. While many states throughout the country shared the same ideals as the Freedom Marchers, there was one state in particular that Dr. King Jr. truly admired. This place, which he once declared as an “inspiration and a noble example of racial harmony,” is none other than Hawai‘i. Despite the ugliness of hecklers in attendance that momentous day, there

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was a symbol of love and beauty that stood out even among the thousands of peaceful protesters. On that day — befitting of the third and what would be the final and successful attempt of the Selma march — lovely strings of the fragrant plumeria lei donned around the necks of civil rights leaders, including John Lewis, James Farmer and Dr. King Jr. It was a message of support on behalf of the people of Hawai‘i, made possible by Dr. King’s friend, Rev. Abraham Akaka. “I’m so grateful Daddy kept record of everything,” laughs Pualani Akaka, daughter of the late Rev. Abraham Akaka, as she read through copies of her father’s old appointment books. In September 1959, after Dr. King’s initial visit to O‘ahu to celebrate and welcome the islands into statehood, civil rights activists, Rev. Akaka, Senators Daniel Inouye and Charles Campbell and President of the Honolulu Council of Churches’ Rev. Lawrence Jones would form a lasting relationship with Dr. King. On Sept. 15, 1959 at 8 a.m., Abraham Akaka noted in his book to meet Dr. King for his service at the YMCA. Five years later on Feb. 19, 1964, he wrote a memo to bring an extra pair of black socks and gown for Dr. King and meet him at Kawaiaha‘o Church. Tucked behind the March 19, 1965 section within Abraham Akaka’s appointment book — two days before the March 21, 1965 Selma march — Akaka and her sister discovered a handwritten note by her father, assumed to

(previous spread) ©afp/getty images; (this page) Dick DeMarsico, New York World-Telegram and the Sun Newspaper Photograph Collection, Library of Congress archive; (opposite) courtesy of pualani akaka

On March 21, 1965,

(previous spread) ÂŠafp/getty images; (this page) Dick DeMarsico, New York World-Telegram and the Sun Newspaper Photograph Collection, Library of Congress archive; (opposite) courtesy of pualani akaka

have been retyped — as he did with all his hand-written notes — and sent along with Sen. Charles Campbell who delivered the boxes of lei to Dr. King Jr. and his supporters in Selma. This is what was so poetically written: Dear Brother Martin Luther King – As you “bring good news to the meek, bind up those that are bruised, release to captives” our Prayer and Aloha reach out to enfold you. These flower lei were made by mothers of the Kawaiaha‘o Church — for you and our brothers in the cause of our Lord Jesus whose commandment you obey: “Feed my lambs” Tend my sheep Feed my sheep” History will honor this hour because His chosen servant was faithful and a great nation responded to that faithfulness. Aloha, A. A

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carol m. highsmith, library of concress archive

The National Civil Rights Museum is built around the former Lorraine Motel (pictured above), where Dr. King was assasinated on April 4, 1968.

“Daddy knew exactly what he was writing,” Akaka says. “And he wanted to let him and everyone else know that we, people of Hawai‘i, were behind him.” Rev. Akaka’s ideals, along with countless other families, helped spawn the Civil Rights Movement here in Hawai‘i. Dr. King took notice of Hawai‘i’s unique ability to live harmoniously among each other, which is why he looked to the aloha state for support and guidance. “[Racial equality] was as familiar as breathing in and out,” says Akaka, in reference to what her life was like as a teenager during the height of the Civil Rights Movement in Hawai‘i. “I knew no other life. That this is the way it’s supposed to be.” In 2011 Akaka visited the National Civil Rights Museum and the Lorraine Motel — where Dr. King Jr. had been assasinated. The motel was under renovation at the time but workers allowed her through to place a plumeria lei across Dr. King’s final resting spot. Last year, she visited Chicago for the 50th anniversary of the Selma march. With plumeria lei in hand once again, she was thrilled to be in the company of “great leaders” who were continuing Dr. King’s legacy of advocating equal rights. When asked if she believes that the legacy of peace will continue to thrive throughout Hawai‘i, she recalls her parents’ teachings. “[They] would discuss and ask us if this is fair,” she says. “[We would ask] what we could do to bring people closer to that power of love that binds one to the other. That’s what people of Hawai‘i can and will do to make this world a better place.”✽

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Choose Green

The legacy of Earth Day continues to strive forward through awareness and education. by Kristen Nemoto

During the shifting political sands of the ’60s, the theme was “peace” and “protest.” Even those who were ambivalent about their country’s quest for social justice couldn’t help but be tugged and pulled 28

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from one direction to another. From young lives at stake in Vietnam to racial discrimination in the heart of Selma, Ala., the Earth’s condition was in the hands and mercy of those who were fighting desperately to claim it. Despite activists’ efforts in leading movement after movement with a megaphone in one hand and a poster in another, Americans, in general, were gulping gas

through their Cadillacs and Mustangs. Air pollution and recycling were terms hardly mentioned on the nightly news, let alone in a protest movement or a dinner conversation with the family. It wasn’t until 1962 when ecologist Rachel Carson wrote the New York Times’ bestseller, Silent Spring, that galvanized people to start talking about our Earth’s

Courtesy kristen jamieson

m a u k a t o m ak ai

Courtesy sustainable coastlines of Hawai’i

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Courtesy kristen jamieson

Courtesy sustainable coastlines of Hawai’i

health and well-being. The book helped spark an environmental movement regarding the use of chemicals and its impact on nature, selling more than 500,000 copies in 24 countries. The public began to shift in environmental awareness and responsibility, some no longer ignorant to the chemical industry’s indiscriminate use of pesticides and misinformation. Through the 1960s, the environmental movement gained momentum, spurred by Carson’s book and Paul R. Ehrlich’s The Population Bomb. And when 100,000 barrels of crude oil spilled into the Santa Barbara Channel in January 1969, outrage emerged. This catastrophic event inspired Wisconsin U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson to corral a political agenda for a “national teach-in on the environment.” With the help of thenRepublican U.S. Rep. Pete McCloskey, environmentalist Denis Hayes and 20 million Americans who took to the streets, parks and auditoriums to demonstrate their quest for a sustainable environment, Earth Day was founded on April 22, 1970.

Today, Earth Day continues to advocate for environmental awareness, with continued focus on global-warming and clean-energy initiatives. Thousands of environmental groups across 184 countries persist in educating hundreds of millions of people every day. On April 22, the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s Student Sustainability Coalition of Hawai‘i and Sustainable Coastlines Hawai‘i proudly present their respective annual Earth Day celebrations. UH Mānoa’s festival will include environmental demonstrations, educational booths, vegetarian

food, zero-waste initiatives and a free concert. Another way to participate is to join Sustainable Coastlines Hawai‘i’s annual beach cleanup, which will be held this year at Waimanalo Beach Park. It’s a great way to get involved with the community and learn more about what we all can do to help make Earth Day a daily celebration. For more information about Sustainable Coastlines Hawai‘i, go to www.sustainablecoastlines hawaii.org; for information about UH Mānoa’s Earth Day event, go to www.facebook.com/ uhmearthday. ✽

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Hands On (Below) Photo of last year’s UH Mānoa’s planning committee. Coordinator Kristen Jamieson is constantly looking for volunteers. Anyone interested can contact her at kejamie@ hawaii.edu.

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Duking it Out Water sports enthusiasts will compete in a day of races, including outrigger canoe and stand-up paddle board. Attendees can also participate in makahiki games. by Gina Bailey

Duke kahanamoku beach challenge The Waikīkī Community Center’s 31st annual challenge will be held on Sunday, April 24, from 9 a.m. www.waikikicommunitycenter.org

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Not long after the turn of the 20th century, the beaches of Waikīkī were at the center of a renaissance. Largely due to the formation of organizations like the Outrigger Canoe Club in 1908 — created specifically to preserve surfing and water sports — and the formation of Hui Nalu, beachgoers might see as many as 100 surfboards during a weekend in Waikīkī as early as 1911. One of Hui Nalu’s first members was a 17-year-old named Duke Paoa Kahinu Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamoku. Kahanamoku — including his nine siblings and 31 cousins — grew up where the Hilton Hawaiian Village now

stands, and played on the very shoreline that is now rightfully called Duke Kahanamoku Beach. As a way to honor whom many consider the best in the pantheon of great

(OHCRA). Free and open to the public, the event kicks off at 9 a.m. with a traditional doublehulled canoe procession, oli (chant) and hula kahiko (ancient hula) performances. “Duke was a Hawaiian gentleman who was soft spoken and always wore a smile,” says Waikīkī Community Center’s director of community relations Jeff Apaka. “He was so proud to be Hawaiian and always wstood up for Hawai‘i. He would have definitely approved of this challenge, which helps perpetuate his legacy and the Hawaiian culture.”✽

watermen, the Waikīkī Community Center (WCC) will host the 31st Annual Duke Kahanamoku Beach Challenge, a community event that features a friendly competition among canoe paddlers and stand-up paddle boarders. Makahiki games, including ulu maika (sand bowling), konane (Hawaiian checkers) and hukihuki (tug of war) will play out in the sand. Each year the event honors individuals or organizations that have made a significant impact on Hawai‘i’s water culture. This year’s honoree goes to the O‘ahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association m ar c h + apr i l 2 0 1 6

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i n s a nd o u t s

Not to Miss

A quick glance at events and celebrations during March and April. Mark your calendars and attend a concert by a Grammy-winning artist or help support the longest standing April Fool’s fundraiser.

coming soon LEI DAY

SOLEMN message

Oye Como Va

May 30 Thousands of lost loved ones will be honored as Shinnyo-en Hawai‘i will play host to its inspiring 18th annual Lantern Floating ceremony at Ala Moana Beach Park.

March 3 Legendary guitarist Carlos Santana returns to Hawai‘i for a one-night-only show. Since his last standing-room-only concerts of 2013 in Hawai‘i, the iconic musician has released a new CD titled “Corazon.” For more information, visit www.santana.com.

April Foolish Movies on the Beach 30 The Children’s Film & Music Festival will showNight Returns April case interactive video and music activities, live perforApril 8 Hawai‘i’s longest running April Fool’s Day party will take place on Friday, April 8 when The Boys Bunch presents its 30th annual April Foolish in support of Make-A-Wish Hawaii. Enjoy live music and a variety of heavy pupu at M Nightclub at Waterfront Plaza. Tickets are $30 pre-sale, $40 at the door, and include pupu (6 – 8 p.m.), one cocktail and validated parking. www.hawaii.wish.org

KEY MOMENTS June 18-26 The Aloha International Piano Festival & Competition will feature concerts and classes led by renowned pianists from around the world.

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mances and family-friendly movies at Ko Olina’s Kohola Lagoon and throughout the Aulani property from 1 – 8 p.m. Tickets cost $25 ($30 at the door) and $10 for kids 12 years and younger. www.koolinachildrensfestival.com

SPAM Jam

April 30 Can? No can? In Hawai‘i, it’s definitely can—especially if it comes in a blue tin and spells out S-P-A-M in bright yellow letters. Join the SPAM Jam festivities along Kalakaua Avenue. www.spamjamhawaii.com

May 1 Almost everyone — from locals to visitors — will wear or give out Hawai‘i’s most popular symbol of love. Join the May Day festivites at Kapi‘olani Park.

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