Aloha club members,
On Tuesday morning, December 31, 2025, our club joined the Royal Hawaiian Benevolent Societies and other Hawaiian Civic Clubs at the Royal Mausoleum at Maunaʻala to commemorate the birthdays of Her Majesty Queen Esther Julia Kapiʻolani Nāpelakapuokakaʻe and Her Royal Highness Princess Abigail Wahīikaʻahuʻula (Campbell) Kawānanakoa.
This ceremony also marked the culmination of the Kalihi Pālama Hawaiian Civic Club Kāhili Project.
Around five years ago, Uncle Clifford Loo raised concerns about the condition of the historic Kalākaua-era kāhili that once stood at the chapel entrance. Our club stepped forward to help ensure that Maunaʻala would continue to be cared for with dignity and cultural integrity.
Through years of planning, cultural consultation, and steady commitment, two new kāhili were created and installed, while the original kāhili were respectfully removed and placed into protected storage, with their future care entrusted to Mālama Maunaʻala.
Mele Kahalepuna Chun, Hailama Farden, and Rick Makanaaloha Kia’imeaokekanaka San Nicolas served as members of the Kōmike Inoa Kāhili O Maunaʻala, naming the two new kāhili, Kūliaikanuʻu and KekahuhiwahiwaoHauola.
“Kūliaikanuʻu,” meaning “to strive for the summit,” honors Queen Esther Julia Kapiʻolani Nāpelakapuokakaʻe and reflects her lifelong call to excellence, service, and upliftment of her people.
“KekahuhiwahiwaoHauola,” meaning “the beloved keeper of the birthing stone,” honors Princess Abigail Wahīikaʻahuʻula (Campbell) Kawānanakoa and speaks to genealogy, protection, and the nurturing of future generations.
Together, these kāhili now stand as living symbols, one rooted in origin and care, the other urging us upward toward our highest responsibilities.
From Kalihi Palama HCC, Kaimo Muhlestein led the procession into the chapel with an Oli, followed by kāhili bearers Donovan Spencer Kaholokahiki Morgan and Jack McKeague. Mokihana Maldonado and Serena Duarte, together with HCCH member, Maluhia Kauahi, passed out commemorative ʻuo feather bundles. Blaine Fergerstrom recorded video of the ceremony.
Kahu Ken Mahuakane conducted the blessing, and the kāhili were formally dedicated by Prince Quentin Kawānanakoa.
Kuʻuipo Kumukahi and other musicians performed a new mele, Nā Kāhili Aliʻi, written by her and Leimomi Khan.
This project would not have been possible without funding from the Estate of Princess Abigail Kekaulike Kawānanakoa, enabled by Executor Robbie Alm.
On behalf of our club, I would like to extend my thanks to our manager of this project, Leimomi Khan and to cultural practitioner, Mele Chun, for her expertise and to the approximately 30 volunteers from civic clubs, royal societies, and Meleʻs haumana for assembling the feather bundling and for completing the kāhili in time for the dedication.
This project reflects the importance of the Hawaiian civic club movement, in which members of our community step forward to assume extraordinary responsibility for culture, history, and place.
As we look ahead to 2026, may this moment inspire us to continue showing up for our lāhui, supporting one another, and taking on kuleana with humility and purpose.
Happy New Year,
Cedric
