Kamānele Park, a wahi pana (sacred place) in Mānoa, celebrated its 110th anniversary on March 15, 2025, with a special ceremony. The park, located mauka of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa campus on University Avenue, was originally dedicated on March 15, 1915, by Queen Liliʻuokalani and Mayor John Lane. Many UH Mānoa alumni played key roles in the event and the ongoing preservation of the park.
The anniversary event hosted by ʻEhiku Hanauna recreated elements of the original dedication, including a pule (prayer) in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and English by Kuʻulei Serna, a professor in UH Mānoa’s School of Teacher Education. Attendees enjoyed a cappella performance of “Hawaiʻi Ponoʻi” by Aspasia Hong and the hula “Nani Mānoa” by ʻImiloa Borland. In a symbolic tribute, 10 girls offered ʻImiloa
hoʻokupu (lei offerings) to the park’s heiau rock feature, proclaiming, “I name thee, o park, Kamānele!”
With deep historical ties to the community, Kamānele Park was also the site of UH Mānoa’s Lei Day celebration in 1934.
UH alumni, community stewardship
The event highlighted the ongoing stewardship of Kamānele Park by ʻEhiku Hanauna, a nonprofit that formally adopted the park through Honolulu’s Adopt-a-Park program. Several of its leaders, including June Rae Hee, Jackie Osumi, Hiʻilei Serna and Hōkū Serna, are UH Mānoa alumni. Sen. Carol Fukunaga recognized founding president Vanessa Distajo for the group’s contributions to preserving the heiau.
UH alumni Rosanna Thurman and Catharine Thetford, leaders of OASES (Oceanic Archaeological Science Educational Services), were honored for their archaeological fieldwork and preservation plan. Cultural resource expert Keʻalohi Reppun, another UH alumna, was also recognized.
Among the attendees was UH Mānoa archaeology professor James Bayman, supporting his former students. He was surprised to see Jasper Distajo, a freshman in his class, at the event. When Distajo shared that he had volunteered at the site since childhood, someone jokingly asked Bayman if extra credit was in order. Smiling, he replied, “There’s no need when said student is already earning an A.”
“Kamānele Park’s anniversary celebration was a testament to the lasting connections between the local community and UH Mānoa,” said Vanessa Distajo. “Through research, cultural preservation, environmental stewardship, and volunteerism, students and alumni continue to honor and safeguard this sacred place for future generations.”
