Washington Place and Umeke Lāʻau: A Powerful Beginning

Today, May 29th, marked our first full day as a group in Honolulu. We had the exciting opportunity to explore Washington House under the lead of our tour guide Travis. Around noon, we transitioned to the second part of this experience, the Umeke Lāʻau art installation by artist Meleanna Aluli Meyer. Visiting Washington Place and the interactive installation enabled us to engage with Hawaiian communities on a personal level, and thus meaningfully kickstart our summer program.

From an exterior structure of stark white polished coral stone, Washington Place emerges as a delicate balance between embodying an "American" architectural style while maintaining connections to the natural island and its ʻāina, meaning the land that feeds. As we entered, I remember the visit to Queen Liliʻuokalani's music room, which featured her beautifully preserved Koa wood piano and beloved armchair. Delicate leis adorn the yellow chair, which remains empty out of respect for the queen. Travis explained how the piano was constructed in New York and shipped to Hawaii, where it remains today to honor the Queen's widely-recognized musical composition talent.

As we walked upstairs to the gallery exhibit, we felt a greater sense of the queen's presence through some of her displayed personal items. I loved listening to one of her love songs, Aloha ʻOe, which the Queen composed in Oʻahu after seeing a young couple lovingly embrace each other. My eyes instantly darted towards her open diary, which was filled with personalized scribbles and offered a glimpse into her personal life, away from the public eye. As Travis later explained, Queen Liliʻuokalani opened the first bank for women in Honolulu called Liliuokalani's Savings Bank and would often record transactions in her diary.

I also loved seeing a replica of the white satin dress Queen Liliʻuokalani would often wear around her garden at Washington Place, fittingly paired with the original wooden parasol handle and a delicate bow. I found it amazing to see intricately embroidered palapalai fern leaves and elegant white dress train up close.

Given the spontaneity and depth of the event, I felt that our trip to the Umeke Lāʻau was the ideal way to start our cultural immersion program in Hawaii. Being in the umeke felt incredibly powerful and uplifting, both in feeling a sense of connection to people from all walks of life, but also the presence of ancestors and Queen Liliʻuokalani. I loved being able to form a circle, take off shoes, and hold hands, which made being in the Umeke feel all the more welcoming and intimate. The chants and songs, which were spoken with such care and passion, helped tie the entire experience together.

I was also surprised when Meleanna referred to the rest of the United States as the "continent," as Hawaii is the "mainland." Our conversation also reminded us of how openness, community, and teamwork brought us together during the Umeke bowl. The artist clearly tried to ensure that all cultures, religions, and lifestyles were respected and accepted in the area.