FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012; 12 Noon: The Royal Hawaiian Band (RHB) Concert at Iolani Palace is dedicated to Queen Liliuokalani and Dr. King. The RHB under the direction of Bandmaster Michael Nakasone, was founded in 1836 by King Kamehameha III and is one of the last living links to Hawaii’s monarchy. Now an agency of the City & County of Honolulu, the RHB is the only full-time municipal band in the United States.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 2012. The Honolulu Hawaii Branch NAACP would like for you to join them at the 9th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards Gala. The 2012 theme is “Educated, Empowered, and Engaged.” This year’s gala is very special as they are celebrating the 52nd Anniversary of our branch. All proceeds benefit the NAACP. The celebration will be held in the grand ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort and Spa, Honolulu, Hawaii. The evening will begin with a cocktail reception and silent auction kickoff at 6:30 followed by dinner at 7:00 and awards presentation at 7:45. In addition to scholarship awards, outstanding community leaders are also recognized. The NAACP Distinguished Service Award for Lifetime Achievement will be presented to Ernest J. Harris, PhD, research entomologist. The NAACP Community Partnership Award will be presented to Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for and the Youth Citizenship Award will be presented to Torey Bowman. Our keynote speaker is the District Director for the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission, Mr. Olophius Perry, Los Angeles, CA.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2012; 5:30 pm: Annual Candlelight & Bell Ringing Ceremony at Honolulu’s Nagasaki Peace Bell on the grounds of Honolulu Hale; Lauhala and Beretania Streets. We celebrate this solemn event on Dr. King’s actual birthday (January 15, 1929-April 4, 1968). Dr. King said, “There will be the day when all of God’s children will be able to sing with a new meaning, “My country, ’tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim’s pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring.” We will again make a resounding noise with our bell ringing to proclaim the fundamental importance of freedom in our own lives, in our island, our nation, and our world. And we will ring out to call attention to the insensitivity, injustice, and inequality that curtails freedom and happiness throughout society. While our actions are symbolic, they have tremendous potential. We invite you to join in this wonderful work beginning today. Make freedom ring!
