Current Māmala Hoa Programs

Kamehameha Festival

Māmala Hoa has honored the memory of Kamehameha with its involvement in the presentation of Kamehameha Day celebrations in Hilo since 1908. In more modern times, Māmala Hoa has been involved in presenting the Kamehameha Day celebration on Moku Ola (Coconut Island) beginning in 1985. In 2008 Māmala Hoa stepped up its proud tradition of honor to Kamehameha with an expanded and more culturally pertinent Kamehameha Day celebration called the Kamehameha Festival that continues to be held on Moku Ola.

The annual Kamehameha Festival is held on June 11 (Kamehameha Day) and begins with the Kamehameha Games that features Hawaiʻiʻs first and only annual Haʻa Koa Hō‘ike/Competition. Following the Kamehameha Games is the Hoʻolauleʻa featuring some of Hawaiʻiʻs top recording artist, award winning hula halu, Hiloʻs only annual Oli (chant) Hō‘ike/Competition, cultural presentations, ono (delicious) Hawaiian food, and Hawaiian art and craft booths. Open and free to the public, the Kamehameha Festival is a day of Aloha for the entire family.

Mālama Mauna Kea

For scientist and astronomers the summit of Mauna Kea is recognized as the worldʻs premier location to observe and discover the universe. However, for Hawaiians, the summit is recognized and respected as an extremely special and sacred place. It is here that Wakea, the sky father, and Papa, the earth mother, gave birth to the Hawaiian Islands. Early Polynesians considered their highest points of land as the most sacred; and Mauna Kea being the highest mountain in Polynesia was considered the most sacred place of all. The issue of the best use of Mauna Kea and the difference between these two perceptions is the root of much contention between the Hawaiian community and an international astronomy community.

Due to the sacred nature of Mauna Keaʻs summit and the continuing risk and threat of development, the Royal Order of Kamehameha I, Heiau O Māmala Hoa maintains a standing committee to protect Mauna Kea. The committee is part of an ongoing program collaborating with other advocacy and watchdog organizations dedicated to the protection, preservation, and perpetuation of the natural and cultural resources of Mauana Kea.

“We, by our protocols, must protect the iwi (bones) of our ancestors and all that is sacred to our kingdom . . . The Royal Order of Kamehameha is prepared to protect and defend the integrity and honor of Mauna Kea and the Native Hawaiian people . . . We will continue to be involved in working with the people of Hawai`i towards lasting protection and oversight of Mauna Kea that the people can be proud of.”

Aliʻi ‘Ai Moku, Paul Neves
Royal Order of Kamehameha I, Māmala Hoa

Haʻa Koa

“E kuʻi na kāne, e naue na moku, e hoʻi na kāne”
The men kuʻi, the islands shake, the men return!

Pua Ishibashi

Haʻa Koa
The Haʻa Koa (Warrior Dance, i.e., Dance of the Warrior) was conceptualized by Pua Ishibashi and Sky Ishibashi, brothers, and initiated with the assistance of Dr. Kimo Alameda in Hilo, 2007. The Haʻa Koa was established as a direct response to a preceived need within the Hawaiian community for a strong formal kāne (manly) protocol that was uniquely Hawaiian. Reflecting traditional practices found in the lua (Hawaiian martial art), ʻai haʻa (ancient dance) and hula (dance/chant), the Haʻa Koa may include the use of musical instruments such as the ipu and pahu (percussion instruments) as well as mea kaua (war implements). In essence, the Haʻa Koa celebrates Hawaiʻiʻs proud warrior heritage and the virtues of strength, courage, loyalty, and dignity. In application, it is intended to unify and empower a hui, honor an esteemed guest, or challenge an opponent in an athletic venue.

Conference
The Royal Order of Kamehameha I, Mamala Hoa recognizes the need for and significance of the Haʻa Koa and promulgated it’s use for the benefit of the people of Hawaiʻi on June 11, 2008, Kamehameha Day, on the occasion of its Kamehameha Festival. As its primary sponsor, the Royal Order of Kamehameha I, Mamala Hoa presents the annual Haʻa Koa Conference (Conference) in Hilo on Kuhio Day (March 26). The mission of the Conference is to perpetuate the Haʻa Koa by promoting community awareness, understanding, and participation. Conferences consist of invited cultural practitioners such as olohe lua, kumu hula, and kupuna who share their manaʻo on various aspects of the Haʻa Koa and includes time to teach and share the Haʻa Koa. Free and open to the public, Conferences are normally held at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo.

Hōʻike
As part of its program to preserve and perpetuate the Haʻa Koa, The Royal Order of Kamehameha I, Māmala Hoa presents the annual Haʻa Koa Hō‘ike as a featured event of its annual Kamehameha Fetival held every Kamehameha Day, June 11, on Moku Ola.

The Hōʻike provides a venue to share the Haʻa Koa with the community alowing it to evolve to truly meet the individual needs of todayʻs Hawaiian community. To review the Haʻa Koa Hō‘ike criteria click here.

Kahu O Moku Ola

Cultural Significance of Moku Ola
Anciently Moku Ola (Island of Life) was a Puʻuhonua consisting of a great heiau complex that extended along the islands shoreline. It was a place of refuge, a sacred place of mana that protected and sheltered all who reached it. Today, Moku Ola remains a significant natual and cultural resource recognized for its powers of healing and purification.

Kamehameha and Māmala Hoa Connection to Moku Ola
The Royal Order of Kamehameha I (Royal Order) was founded on April 11, 1865 by King Kamehameha V in memory of his grandfather King Kamehameha the Great (c. 1738-1819. The purpose, to support the Kingdom of Hawaii, and to uplift the Hawaiian community, i.e., to protect, preserve, and perpetuate the Hawaiian culture. However, after the overthrow of Queen Liliu’okalani and the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1893, the Royal Order was suppressed by the succeeding governments and went under ground. After Hawaii became a territory of the United States (1898), Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole restored the Royal Order in 1903 to perpetuate the memory of Kamehameha the Great and uplift the Hawaiian community.

Though Kamehameha united all the Hawaiian islands and was sovereign over all, he always considered Moku O Keawe his home. Here, Hilo held a special place in Kamehamehaʻs heart and played a significant role in who Kamehameha was and what he became. Beside the prophecies of the Naha stone, Hiloʻs early support of Kamehamehaʻs quest to unite the islands of Hawaii, and establishing the Kanawai Mamalahoa (Law of the Splintered Paddle), Kamehameha was also known to practice cultural protocols on Moku Ola. In modern times the Royal Order of Kamehameha I, Mamala Hoa has honored Kamehameha with the presentation of Kamehameha Day celebrations on Moku Ola since 1985. Since that time, the Royal Order has taken an active role to malama advocate for the welfare of Moku Ola. Today, the Royal Order of Kamehameha I, Mamala Hoa is recognized as the kahu of Moku Ola with the kuleana to protect, preserve, and perpetuate the natural and spiritual resources of the island to not only benefit the Kanaka Maoli, but the people of Hawaiʻi and the world.

Māmala Hoa Scholarship

Established by Heiau O Māmala Hoa of the Royal Order of Kamehameha I, the Māmala Hoa Academic Scholarship Program is designed to inspire and assist kanaka maoli (Native Hawaiian) students in their pursuit of a higher education (undergraduate, graduate, or doctorate degrees). The mission of the program is to identify and develop leaders that will one day benefit the Hawaiian community. Awards are based on financial need, cultural integrity, and academic promise. Recipients are required to provide community service in Hawaiʻi as a part of the program. Applicants must be of Hawaiian descent and residents of Hilo, Puna, Hamakua, or Kaʻu.