August 21, 2009 marks the 50th anniversary of Hawai‘i’s statehood. How should Hawai‘i celebrate this milestone, or should we even celebrate?
To deal with this issue the State of Hawai‘i has decided to hold a Statehood Conference, instead of the typical fanfare of parades, concerts and fireworks. This event will mark this momentous occasion with keynote speakers, break out workshop, plenary session and an evening event with a 50’s theme.
The conference schedule includes the following (taken from the conference website):
Opening Ceremony – New Horizons for the Next 50 Years
- Opening Prayer/Chant/Anthems; Honoring “50 Voices”
- Opening Remarks: Governor Linda Lingle, State of Hawai‘i
- Keynote Remarks by Special Guests – Hawai‘i’s Present and Future from Local and National Perspectives
- An overview of who we are as a state, where we need to go to ensure our future success and how we will get there!
- Bryan Clay, 2008 Decathlon Gold Medalist
- Andy Karsner, former assistant secretary, U.S. Department of Energy
- John Zogby, political pollster, Zogby International
- From statehood to the Asia-Pacific century, visionary leaders in Hawai‘i community will present an overview of where we are as a state and where we are heading.
- Tom Coffman, An Overview of Hawai‘i’s Past and Present
- Charles Morrison, President, East-West Center
- Andrew Mason, Sang-Hyop Lee, and Gerard Russo , Department of Economics, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Hawai‘i’s Economic Challenges in an Aging World
- Hawai‘i Stamp Unveiling
- In coordination with the U.S. Postal Service, Governor Lingle will help to unveil the official State of Hawai‘i commemorative stamp. Hawai‘i’s stamp design was created by local artist Herb Kane of the Big Island. Stamps will be made available for purchase outside conference activities.
- Live Video Teleconference with Troops in Iraq
- Presented by the Hawai‘i National Guard and TriWest
- Hawai‘i’s men and women in uniform who are serving overseas in Iraq will be part of the official commemoration confereence through a live video teleconference.
- Economic Forecast Luncheon, Emerging from the Global Recession: Near Term Economic Prospects for Hawai‘i, the U.S., and the World
- “Emerging from the Global Recession: Near Term Economic Prospects for Hawaii, the U.S., and the World”
- Opening remarks from Lt. Governor James R. “Duke” Aiona, Jr.
- Musical performance by Ciana Pelekai
- Retiring ceremony of official statehood time capsules
- Moderator: Marcia Sakai, University of Hawai‘i, Hilo
- Featuring:
- Byron Gangnes, University of Hawai‘i Economic Research Organization
- Pearl Imada Iboshi, Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism
- Paul Brewbaker, TZ Economics and University of Hawai‘i Economic Research Organization
- Afternoon Plenary Session – Native Hawaiians: Cultural Navigation in a Sea of Change
- Note: Entirety of afternoon plenary session and closing ceremony will be taped and aired by KGMB-9
- Native Hawaiians: Cultural Navigation in a Sea of Change
This session will examine current issues affecting the native Hawaiian community, with particular emphasis on recent legal actions concerning ceded lands. Panelists will explain the historical context as well as the controversies stemming from the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom and the use of the term “ceded.” Other topics may be introduced depending on time, such as the Akaka Bill, the sovereignty movement, federal entitlements, etc. - Panel members:
- Dr. Jonathan Osorio, Center for Hawaiian Studies, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
- Dr. Kamanamaikalani Beamer, Department of Geography, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
- Mehana Hind, Hawai‘inuiakea School of Hawaiian Language, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
- Donovan Preza, President, Hawaiian Society of Law and Politics
- Dr. Trisha Kehaulani Watson Director of Operations, Hawai’i Youth Conservation Corps
- Closing Ceremony
- Diversity – Harmony – Peace: Many Rivers, One Ocean
- Presented by Na Lei Aloha Foundation
- Introduction by Lt. Governor James R. “Duke” Aiona, Jr.
- In the spirit of coming together as one community, we will celebrate the diversity of Hawai‘i’s people while acknowledging that resolving to all of the critical topics discussed throughout the day is an on-going process. However, it is important that through collaborative efforts and working in harmony with each other, we can exemplify the “Aloha Spirit” and its inherent message of embracing peace over conflict.
- Featured entertainers include Keola and Moanalani Beamer, Raiatea Helm, Natalie Ai Kamauu, Geoffrey Keezer, Charles Kaupu, Bernice Hirai, and the Chamber Music Hawaii Spring Wind Quintet. Halau Hula Olana will feature hula performed by our keiki, who represent the generation that will inherit and lead Hawai‘i in the next 50 years.
Commemoration reception and special 50’s evening entertainment/party with THE famous PLATTERS, THE COASTERS AND THE DRIFTERS
There has been some criticism claiming a lack of Hawaiian perspective on the day’s events an workshops. The focus of the day is heavy on the economic future of Hawai‘i as seen from a tourist business lens. Although this is the majority of what people expect when visiting Hawai‘i, there are many still who want the real Hawai‘i – not the hotel lü‘au and hula show (which a lot of the time has very little hula in it).
Even after 50 years what are we, the state of Hawai‘i, doing to honor this place, its history and its people? A culture that cannot be found anywhere else, what are we doing to prepetuate who we really are?