LAHAINA – All are encouraged and invited to attend the celebration on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, as the 197-year-old historic church in Lahaina will be honoring Keopuolani, whose final resting place is The Royal Tomb located in Waiola’s Waine’e graveyard.

Events will commence at 8 a.m. with the kau ha’i delivered by Nalani Kanaka’ole of the esteemed Edith Kanakaole Foundation.

Ensuing educational and historical talks will be led by Dr. Ronald Williams on the Queen’s encounters with our Tahitian Cousins, who arrived and translated for the missionaries here in Lahaina up until her last days here on Earth.

Dr. Williams has been generous with his time and talent in providing critical Curriculum Resource Standards “Ola Na Iwi” located on the Waiola Church website.

Also contributing will be Tanya Lee-Greig, archaeologist and principle investigator for Aina Archaeology, who has been volunteering her personal time and company resources to document and map the historic graveyard at Waiola Church. Together with her staff, they will be completing a 3-D laser scan of the Royal Tomb and monument to create a detailed digital model for archival and educational purposes.

The celebration will conclude with a Tamaaraa, a Tahitian Feast, in celebration of our Tahitian connections, with food, song and dance. Gates for the feast open at 5:30 p.m. Ticket prices for the evening meal and entertainment are $30 per person. This event is made possible through the County of Maui Office of Economic Development.

Visit the Waiola Church website (Waiolachurch.org) and Facebook page for additional information.