Exhibit on Kalaupapa to debut at Lahaina Heritage Museum
A historical exhibit about the strong relationship between the royal family of Hawaii and the people of Kalaupapa will be on display at the Lahaina Heritage Museum in the Old Lahaina Courthouse beginning Tuesday and running through Feb. 28.
The award-winning exhibit, “A Source of Light, Constant and Never Fading,” was produced by the nonprofit Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa and is being hosted by the Lahaina Restoration Foundation. It was produced with assistance from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and Kamehameha Schools.
The exhibit focuses on the often-forgotten relationship among members of the alii and the people of Kalaupapa, including King Kalakaua, Queen Kapi‘olani and Queen Lili‘uokalani.
It also emphasizes the impacts on Kalaupapa caused by the Bayonet Constitution in 1887 when a group of Western businessmen forced King Kalakaua to give up his authority at bayonet point.
The exhibit includes photographs, letters, quotations and a beautiful mele to Queen Lili‘uokalani penned by 22-year-old Kalaupapa resident David Kahoeka in 1897 that gives the exhibit its title.
Located on the second floor of the courthouse, the exhibit will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Admission is free with a suggested donation of $5.
Tours of the exhibit, led by Lahaina Restoration Foundation Cultural Director Kalapana Kollars, will take place at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and
noon every Wednesday.
The exhibit is part of Kalaupapa Month held every January and ‘Olelo Hawai‘i Month held every February.
For more information on the exhibit, visit lahainarestoration.org.
For more information on the nonprofit, visit kalaupapaohana.org.