News of the Kohala Districts and Hāmākua

Honokaʻa—Just as it was reported in the newspaper pertaining to the activities of the 1st of May, at Honokaʻa School, that is what was carried out, albeit there were some changes made. The activities were not held at the school park, but inside the school hall, and the hall filled up with an audience, from adults to children. Along with friends and visitors. The number probably reached around eight hundred on that day.

Built atop the stage in the hall was a hale pili made by the children of [Otto] Hermann. The pili grass was brought from Kawaihae to thatch the house. In the front of the house dangled calabashes in kōkō nets, and at the door of the house stood a broom and a fishing net. In the very center of that stage was the rocking chair of the Queen (May Queen), that being Hannah Akini. Near to the seat of the queen was the seat of the queen’s female attendant, that is Josephine Akini.

On the right side of the stage was an area set aside for the singers and the hula girls.

Because of how hard it was raining, the activities were held in the hall.

The teachers were bedecked with lei about their necks, and so too was the entire crowd. There was maile lei, ʻākulikuli as well, gardenia lei, pohā lei, rose, lehua, cigar flower, and so many others that it couldn’t be enumerated.

At 9:30 in the morning, the resounding call of the conch traveled about, signaling to the people to come inside. The hall was filled to the limit and and people ended up standing. This was because they really wanted to see what was being shown.

There were six flower kāhili made with all sorts of blossoms, like yellow lilies, Elderberrig [sic] flowers, and cherry blossoms. These flower kāhili were truly beautiful to see as they were being held by six Hawaiian children; they being Frank Akini, brother of the queen; Edmund K. Chong, Eben Salsare, Fausir, Raymond Reinhardt, and Ronald Poepoe. These boys stood at the sides of the queen, and walked in procession with the queen.

The queen was wearing a white holokū and her attendant with a dark holokū with large white flowers. The queen’s lei was a long gardenia lei, and upon her head were gardenias as well. The writer for the Hoku was wearing a holokū and a lei of red roses entwined with maile. These rose blossoms were from the garden of Mother Saffery, and the rose blossoms were twisted with palapalai.

In an area close to the hale pili sat Jocelin Poepoe, one of the daughters of Rev. Poepoe of Hāmākua who is seven years old, and she is a sweet-voiced singer.

On the other side of the stage sat Mrs. Charles Kaulupali, Miss Rose Kealoha, some of the choir and Mrs. N. Kekoolani and her hula girls, they being Misses Myra and Nellie Kekoolani, Elsie Keomalu; Daisy, Irene, and Ethel Chong; Mrs. Camilles Hermann; Mrs. Flora Kealoha.

When everyone took their seats, The soldiers who are stationed here in Hāmākua began marching with the flag and entered and took their seats. During that time, everyone sat silently for a minute. It was very awe-inspiring. After the minute passed, [Joe] Auna and his group began to play the Hilo March, and that was when Mrs. Hattie Reinhardt led the three majorettes, with the queen following after, and behind them, the kāhili bearers, and when they arrived at their seats, they sat down.

The activities began with everyone in the hall filled with delight. Dr. C. L. Carter spoke some words pertaining to lei day, in place of Don Blanding, the famous haole who has been living in Hilo for some months, writing books on Hawaiʻi nei, and also composing songs. He was given a long rose lei. This is a man well-versed in comical speech. Before he spoke in front of the crowd, he first went and kissed the hand of the queen. And he turned and spoke a few words about that man Don Blanding; how he came to establish activities related to Lei Day for Hawaiʻi nei, and to wear lei on that day. Everyone showed their enthusiasm by their applause.

This was a day filled with joy for all, befitting the lively leadership of the chairman of this great endeavor. The mele that were sung were so fine, the hula that were danced by the girls as well, and the nice explanation of the levels of singing of mele. I chanted an very lovely oli introducing the Queen of ours to the people gathered there. There was much laughter from people at my oli I chanted. I carefully pronounced the words that I chanted, and their laughter rang forth. This performance was done twice. The parents and visitors were first, and the teachers and school children came after.

The adults joined the children and visitors in that famous song, “May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii.” The first verse was sung with loud voice, and the second verse was sung with a gentle voice, and as for the third, it was whistled. Laughter erupted from everyone.

Before the conclusion of the activities, Jocelin Poepoe sang, “O Sweet, Sweetie,” backed by Auna and his string musicians. This girl’s voice is beautiful, and she was gifted with dimes thrown upon the stage where she stood. This grandchild of Father Poepoe took after him.

The day’s activities were brought to an end with everyone singing of Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī and Aloha ʻOe.

When the rain cleared, everyone went outside and paraded on the street and met at the school park. This was a very long parade led by the soldiers in the front carrying the American flag. The writer came after and the queen followed and her attendants, the detectives, and Red Cross, the school children from the first grade to twelve, and the visitors thereafter.

The day’s activities were let out with everyone filled with joy and delight.