HAWAII — Organizations across the Hawaiian Islands are hosting in-person and online events in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 16, 2023.
In 1983, Martin Luther King Jr. Day was declared a federal holiday, and it is celebrated annually on the third Monday of January in honor of King’s birthday on Jan. 15, 1929.
The holiday was officially celebrated in Hawaii starting in 1989 after Gov. John Waihee proclaimed the first MLK Jr. Day.
The holiday honors the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who fought for civil rights and social justice through nonviolence. Many people celebrate the holiday by volunteering and participating in acts of service.
In 1959, King visited Hawaii and spoke before the State Legislature. During his speech, he said he appreciated what Hawaii had “already accomplished in the area of racial harmony and racial justice.”
King also spoke at the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 1964 during “Civil Rights Week,” and about 10,000 listeners gathered to hear his speech on “Progress Toward Desegregation.” At the closing of his speech at Andrews Outdoor Theatre, he said, “I believe that deep down within our nation, in spite of difficulties, there is a desire to move toward integration.”
The following year, King wore a lei during the Selma to Montgomery marches. The Hawaiian lei was organized by Reverend Abraham Akaka, the older brother of the late U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, and hand-delivered by five people who flew to Alabama to participate in the marches.
Martin Luther King Jr. Parade
Magic Island
The annual Martin Luther King Jr. parade is set for Monday and is organized by the Hawaii Martin Luther King, Jr. Coalition. Groups involved in the parade meet at Magic Island at 7:30 a.m., and the parade will move at 9 a.m., traveling along Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki and ending at Kapiolani Park. More information is available here.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Awards Gala
Honolulu Country Club
1690 Ala Puumalu St, Honolulu
On Saturday at 6 p.m., the Hawaii NAACP is hosting an award ceremony. The Hawaii NAACP will honor Ambassador Frankie Reed with the Lifetime Achievement Award for Distinguished Service and the Community Partnership Award will go to The Prince Hall Grand Chapter of Hawaii Order of the Eastern Star.
Encore II - A Musical Tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.
Kawaiahaʻo Church
957 Punchbowl St, Honolulu
A free concert with Victor Rudolph Simonson (Associate Music Director of Hamilton/Minister of Music), Leon Williams (former Broadway performer) and Georgine Stark (vocalist for The Hawaii Sympony Orchestra and Hawaii Opera Theatre). Email jenny@fpchawaii.org to let organizers know you will be joining.
MLK “Three Evils of Society” Speech, Discussion and Mini Food Drive
Hawaii Betsuin Lounge
1727 Pali Highway, Honolulu
After a brief introduction, the Honpa Hongwanji congregation will listen to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s “The Three Evils of Society” speech. He delivered the speech in 1967 at the National Conference on New Politics in Chicago. He identifies the three evils as Materialism, Militarism and Racism. Buddhists listening to the speech may find parallels to the three poisons of Greed, Anger and Ignorance described in Buddhist teachings. A discussion will follow. Before or after the event, attendees are also encouraged to visit the statue of Shinran Shonin, which will be draped in lei in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Attendees are asked to bring a non-perishable food donation for Hawaii Foodbank. More infromation here.
Kona MLK Annual Celebration
The Old Airport Makaeo Pavilion
75-5500 Kuakini Hwy, Kailua-Kona
On Sunday, the Kona Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration will be held at the Old Airport Makaeo Pavilion, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Find more information here.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the National Park Service is waiving entrance fees for all park goers Monday. On the Big Island, this includes the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Find out more here.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Peace and Non-Violence Movement
Virtual
On Monday, the African Americans on Maui Association will host a zoom event at 9 a.m. Find out more here.
Haleakala National Park
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the National Park Service is waiving entrance fees for everyone on Monday. On Maui, this includes the Haleakala National Park. Find out more here.
Dances of Universal Peace
Sun Village, Lihue
Behind Wilcox Hospital
The Interfaith Roundtable of Kauai is hosting a Dances of Universal Peace on Sunday at 6 p.m. For more information, call or text 808-346-2587 or email sbackinoff24@gmail.com.
Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge
Kilauea Point is offering its fee-free day on Jan. 14. Make your reservations via recreation.gov (select “entrance free days”). Don’t wait too long because spaces are limited.
Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com.