King celebration Sunday in Kona

By CAROLYN LUCAS-ZENK

Stephens Media

His values and beliefs changed society. His courage, faith and commitment gave others strength, even when faced with anger, hatred, threats and violence.

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., a pivotal figure in the civil rights movement, challenged Americans to come together for the betterment of the country.

This message will be shared and remembered again during the 31st anniversary of a community event Sunday celebrating his life and legacy in the Old Kona Airport Park’s Makaeo Events Pavilion.

The Baptist minister from Alabama is touted as the driving force behind equality for America’s black community, using love, God and nonviolence as the cornerstones of his messages.

King is best remembered for the Montgomery, Ala., bus boycott in 1955; the 1957 Southern Christian Leadership Conference, which organized marches for blacks’ right to vote, desegregation and labor laws; and The Great March on Washington in 1963 where he gave his “I Have a Dream” speech.

Before his assassination in 1968, King was committed to ending poverty and speaking out against the Vietnam War. President Ronald Reagan sanctioned Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a federal holiday in 1983.

King’s birthday is Jan. 15, but the federal holiday bearing his name is always observed on the third Monday in January, also when many schools nationwide are closed for classes.

The first Kona gathering of about 15 people was organized by the late Kona resident Frank Bramlett, two years before Reagan signed the bill making King’s birthday a national holiday.

Bramlett felt it was of utmost importance that Big Island residents and visitors had an event to reflect on King’s legacy of hope and inspiration that continues today, said Virginia Halliday, Kona resident and an organizer.

“Dr. King’s contributions were so dramatic and meaningful that they’re universally appreciated. There’s perhaps no other figure in modern day history who played a more important role to mankind than him. He brought civil rights to the forefront of this country,” she said. “This remarkable man, his story and his perspectives still mean a lot to many people, whose lives are touched by him. For some, his birthday is a time to reflect on the freedoms now enjoyed, but were once forbidden. For others, it’s a time to learn not to take certain freedoms for granted and to know what it means to keep his dream alive. This is still room for growth and improvements.”

An all-volunteer committee, which includes lead organizers Halliday, Mami Bramlett and Kathy Simmons, keeps the annual community event in Kailua-Kona going.

Last year’s event drew more than 100 attendees.

The event helps the public — especially the younger generations — understand who King was and why he is important, Halliday said.

This year’s celebration begins at noon Sunday with information displays, artwork, poems and essays by students from Kealakehe Elementary School, Kona Christian Academy and Kealakehe High School. Talk story opportunities, as well as reflections from Big Island residents and visitors, will also occur, Halliday said.

Around 1 p.m., singing, music and dancing will take place, followed by a keynote speech and re-enactment of a speech written by King. Afterwards, a potluck will happen and those interested in participating should bring a dish to share, Halliday said.

“Our goal is to continue to remember and educate others how Dr. King fought for freedom, justice and equality of all with dignity and peacefully,” she said. “We also want people to realize his legacy is hope — the hope that you can change the world into a better place if you try and dreams can be fulfilled if you pursue them.”

For more information about this event, call Halliday at 325-1112.

Email Carolyn Lucas-Zenk at clucas-zenk@westhawaiitoday.com.