Big Island Vacation Guide 2008 - (Page 41) PAUL J. BUKLAREWICZ, COURTESY OF VOLCANO ART CENTER Big Island’s sugar industry was developed, mostly by descendants of the early missionaries. During the late 1800s, the Big Island’s sugar and pineapple industries attracted immigrants from China, Japan, Philippines and Portugal, as well as other Europeans. 50TH STATE OF ALOHA In 1893, Queen Lili‘uokalani, Hawai‘i’s last reigning monarch, surrendered her throne to pro-American forces. Five years later, the United Stated annexed Hawai‘i and a territorial government was formed. In 1959, Hawai‘i became the 50th state of the nation, the Aloha State. Na Mea Hawai‘i Hula Kahiko Performance, Volcano Art Center Volcano Art Center’s Na Mea Hawai‘i Hula Kahiko Performance – January, March, May, June, August, October Part of the center’s series of traditional hula and chant performances. 967-8222, www.volcanoartcenter.org He Lei Hiwa o No Wahine ‘Iolani Luahine Hula Festival & Hula Scholarship Competition – February Held in Kailua-Kona, this event honors Hawai‘i’s legendary cultural historian and hula master ‘Iolani Luahine with performances and films. 935-3461. Merrie Monarch Festival – March-April (follows Easter) This is the world’s premier hula competition. 935-9168, www.merriemonarchfestival.org Malama Punalu‘u – September Observe Queen Lili‘uokalani’s birthday with hula performances, Hawaiian music and craft demonstrations. 929-8334, www.malamapunaluu.org E Hula Mai Kaua – September Held in Keauhou, this hula competition is part of the Aloha Festivals. 833-9005, www.alohafestivals.com/v3/pages/events/ hawaii.jsp Kupuna Hula Festival – September Held in Kailua-Kona, this hula competition for elders is part of the Aloha Festivals. 961-8592, www.alohafestivals. com/v3/pages/events/hawaii.jsp He Hali‘a Aloha No Ka Queen Lili‘uokalani Festival – September Along with music and food, over 300 dancers share their love of hula. 961-8706, www.alohafestivals.com/v3/ pages/events/hawaii.jsp Moku O Keawe International Hula Festival – November Held in Waikoloa, the Moku O Kewae Hula Competition invites halau from around the globe. 936-4853, www. mokuokeawe.org/competition/index.html For a complete listing of festivals and cultural events on Hawai‘i’s Big Island, visit www.bigisland.org/calendar. Events subject to change. THE BIRTH OF ALOHA A mere 800,000 years old, Hawai‘i is the youngest and largest of the Hawaiian Islands. And this special island is still growing. Kılauea ¯ volcano has been pouring lava since 1983, continually adding acreage to the island. The diversity of landscapes and climates here more resemble a small continent than a large island. PARADISE FOUND A Hawaiian legend tells the story of the volcano-goddess Pele battling the demigod Kamapua‘a over the island. The two eventually made peace and divided the Big Island into two parts: the Hilo Side and Kona Side. Sometime around the third or fourth century, Hawai‘i’s first settlers arrived from Polynesia in large outrigger canoes, navigating by the stars. Western contact occurred when Captain James Cook, a British explorer, dropped anchor off Kealakekua Bay in 1779. A monument in Kealakekua Bay marks the spot where Cook met his demise during the skirmish with the inhabitants. KING KAMEHAMEHA I Later known as Kamehameha the Great, this ruler united the Hawaiian Islands after a series of long and bloody battles. He was born in 1758 in North Kohala, located on the Big Island’s northernmost tip. Reminders of his rule are located all over the island. In 1880, a ship carrying a statue of him sank on its way from Germany to Hawai‘i. The statue was later recovered and now stands in Kapa‘au, near the king’s birthplace. BIG ISLAND ‘OHANA The first missionaries began arriving on the Big Island in the early 1800s. Some of the island’s churches are reflections of this period. By the mid-1800s, the NATIONAL PARKS OF THE BIG ISLAND The four National Parks on Hawai‘i’s Big Island were established to preserve the island’s unique history and awesome natural wonders. They are excellent sites for exploring and learning about the Big Island’s past. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park This park is the most popular attraction on the island. Here, you’ll get the opportunity to get close to Kılauea, one of the ¯ world’s few active volcanoes. Daily: 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Kılauea ¯ Visitor Center), 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Ranger Station, Chain of Craters Road), 985-6000, www.nps.gov/havo Pu‘uhonua o Ho ¯naunau National Historic Park Pu‘uhonua o Ho ¯naunau National Historical Park Pu‘uhonua, or “Place of Refuge,” is the site where defeated warriors came during times of battle. Hawaiians who broke a kapu (law) also fled here to avoid punishment. The park was established in 1961 and contains numerous archaeological sites, from temple platforms and royal fishponds to the Hale o Keawe, a reconstructed temple. Daily: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Visitor Center), 328-2288, www.nps.gov/puho KIRK AEDER Lava tube 800-648-2441 41 http://www.volcanoartcenter.org http://www.nps.gov/havo http://www.merriemonarchfestival.org http://www.malamapunaluu.org http://www.alohafestivals.com/v3/pages/events/hawaii.jsp http://www.alohafestivals.com/v3/pages/events/hawaii.jsp http://www.alohafestivals.com/v3/pages/events/hawaii.jsp http://www.alohafestivals.com/v3/pages/events/hawaii.jsp http://www.alohafestivals.com/v3/pages/events/hawaii.jsp http://www.alohafestivals.com/v3/pages/events/hawaii.jsp http://www.nps.gov/puho http://www.mokuokeawe.org/competition/index.html http://www.mokuokeawe.org/competition/index.html http://www.bigisland.org/calendar
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