Celebrants stand tall at Iolani Palace for Statehood Day observance. More photos at this link.

SBH Revives Statehood Day Celebration

Each third Friday in August is a state and county holiday in Hawai’i, Statehood Day, marking admission to the union. But for the past half dozen years there had been no official celebrations noting Hawaii’s entrance as a full partner with all the rights of a state of the United States on August 21, 1959. There are events and parades for St. Patrick’s Day, the Japanese Lantern ceremony, Gay & Lesbian Pride, but no Proud to Be an American Celebration — until this year.

Some local political leaders have said that the celebration in Hawai’i has become too controversial, and that it might now be perceived as “culturally insensitive” by some Native Hawaiian leaders.

Small Business Hawaii (SBH) and its president, State Senator Sam Slom, disagreed, and stepped forward to organize a celebration of the 47th anniversary of Hawaii’s statehood, on Friday, August 18, at Iolani Palace. The event also honored America’s men and women in the armed forces.

Scheduled to entertain were Aloha Petroleum’s Tom Yamaguchi who sings patriotic songs, the Kalani Falcons Marching Band, under the direction of Dennis Kaneshiro, and City Communications Director Bill Brennan representing Mayor Mufi Hannemann who was in Samoa.

During the 2006 Legislative Session, Slom (R-Hawaii Kai-DiamondHead) introduced a Resolution to eliminate Statehood Day as a paid government holiday because, “the government doesn’t seem to want to recognize it,” he said. The Resolution never got a public hearing.

But last month Slom, and SBH, decided they would take the lead and organize a public celebration of statehood in Hawai’i for those who want to recognize and celebrate the day. The government has remained silent but Slom believes it is appropriate for private citizens to lead the event which he hopes will invigorate the day and holiday. On August 17, Governor Linda Lingle and Lt. Governor Duke Aiona issued a Statehood Proclamation.

The joyful, family event was marred by shouting, swearing, threatening demonstrators — without any permit — who frightened away the band, and many participants. But SBH said this is all part of America — freedom to protest and speak.

Undaunted, SBH is already looking forward to the 50th anniversary in 2009.

Plight of Hawaiians Not Dire - Small Business News, July 2006.

September 2006 SB News

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Copyright 2006 Small Business Hawaii. Last update: August 27, 2006