Kulia I Kanu`u
A Celebration of the 125th Anniversary of Kanyaku Imin
Honoring All AJA WII Veterans
A Day of Remembrance, Friendship, and Family Fun!

June 5, 2010
2 pm to 9 pm
Iolani Palace

OPEN TO PUBLIC

Special VIP packages available starting at $13 (see below)

Purchase tickets: http://125kanyakuimin.eventbrite.com/


The theme phrase is the motto of Queen Kapiolani, wife of King Kalakaua, which means "Strive for the summit" in the sense of striving for excellence or greatness, which is like "Go For Broke" (the motto of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team) in spirit, to emphasize the deep friendship between the people of Japan and Hawaii. This friendship officially dates back to the Treaty of Friendship of 1867 during the reign of Kamehameha IV. However, this relationship between the Hawaiian Kingdom and the Japanese Empire became much closer when King Kalakaua became the first head of state to be received by the Meiji Emperor during a 19-day visit in 1881. This would later set the stage for mass immigration of Japanese contract laborers to Hawaii from 1885 to 1894, known as "Kanyaku imin jidai," thus firmly establishing the Japanese community in the islands.

A ceremony to honor all WWII AJA Veterans, many of whom trace their roots to parents and ancestors who arrived during Kanyaku Imin, will start at 4 pm, culminating in a re-creation of sorts of that famous photo of the 442nd RCT before shipping off for training in March, 1943. Almost 17,000 people were there to bid aloha to the 2600 volunteers of the 442nd at Iolani Palace on March 28th, 1943; let's try to re-create that crowd of support as much as possible! To begin the formal ceremony veterans can walk in from just outside the Palace gates like the 442nd marched down King Street in 1943. The Palace is also requesting a 21-gun salute from the current 100th/442nd Reserves and flyover from the Hawaii Air National Guard.

Be in the photo 67 years later, but this time with all AJA WWII veterans: the 100th Battalion (which was shipped out of Hawaii in secret on June 5, 1942; some didn't even get to say goodbye to their families!), the 442nd RCT, the Military Intelligence Service (translators and linguists who are credited as shortening the war in the Pacific by two years), and the 1399th Engineers (who built critical military structures and secret tunnels and facilities). Be there to honor these brave men who, as 18 year old youngsters, fought not only the Nazis, but racial prejudice. Many are well into their 90s and we are losing them every day. Be there to shake the hands of these quiet war heroes who, after returning home, helped to build Hawaii into what it is today.

Afterwards, there will be a concert featuring AJA performers, with ukulele virtuoso and friend of the veterans Jake Shimabukuro headlining, playing his new song for the veterans, "Go For Broke." Bring your goza and blankets and enjoy the concert on the Lawn, plantation style! Chairs will be available for handicapped and veterans and their wives as well as special concert seating for VIP Admission ticket holders.

A tour of the Palace is included with your VIP Admission. What a great deal (regular admission is $15 for Hawaii residents!)! Learn about the history of Hawaii's original gathering place and see royal artifacts. Learn interesting facts about the Palace, such as the fact that it had electricity four years before the White House!

Also in the works: a bon dance of remembrance, craft booths and games for kids, and fun and food reminiscent of plantation days including, of course, shave ice, saimin and yakitori sticks, and andagi! Your VIP Admission ticket includes a "fast pass" to special lines for all food booths and activities -- don't be stuck in long lines! We are also coordinating displays of WWII vehicles and plantation artifacts, as well as a mini-symposium/talk story of veterans before the formal ceremonies begin.

Proceeds to benefit partner organizations and an educational effort to create a comic book for Hawaii's school kids and libraries about the 100th Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team. The goal is to raise enough to be able to give away all 5000 copies of the comic book.

Bring the family out and enjoy this unique event! Lots of fun, but history and culture too!

Contact partners with phone numbers below for VIP package tickets OR buy online until 11:59 pm HST June 4, 2010.



Event is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.



VIP Packages Available:

$15 VIP Admission (includes Palace Tour, special reserved concert seating, and "fast pass" to food booth lines and activities)
$13 military VIP Admission (must show ID; includes VIP Admission privileges)





EVENT SCHEDULE:

2 pm Doors open/food booths, tours start

2:30 - 3:30 Veteran Talk Story session in Kana`ina Building

4 pm Veteran Ceremony starts/group photo

5 pm Concert starts

7 pm Bon dance starts

9:30 pm Pau