The Holy Ghost Feast is returning to Honokaa on Sunday.
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Honokaa has been gearing up for this centuries-old Portuguese tradition.
The first Portuguese immigrants arrived in Hawaii in the late 1800s bringing their culture and traditions with them.
This Azorean tradition is based on Queen Isabel, also known as St. Elizabeth. The 14th century queen of Portugal was a champion of the poor. Her deep faith in the Holy Ghost, also known as the Holy Spirit, produced a miracle whereby the bread she had hidden in the folds of her dress was transformed into roses when she was caught by her husband, King Denis, in the act of defiance.
The day begins at 8 a.m. with a special procession to the front of the church and concludes at about 3 p.m. This year’s queen and princesses are crowned prior to the commencement of a celebratory Mass at 8:30 a.m. where more Portuguese traditions unfold.
The celebration continues after the Mass. Various booths will open to sell baked goods, plants, religious articles, centennial merchandise and delicious food, including a plate lunch, Filipino food, and delicacies along with hot malasadas, tacos, thirst-quenchers and other goodies.
There will be games for the young and the young at heart, including a dunking booth. There will also be live entertainment from Honokaa’s local talent throughout the day and a brief performance by special guest Brother Noland at 11 a.m. He is a recipient of numerous Na Hoku Hanohano Awards and is considered the father of Jawaiian music.
The highlight of the auction is the traditional Portuguese Charola, which is auctioned off numerous times. The final winning bidder takes home everything except the frame. Volunteers work hard for many days to create this masterpiece in the shape of a bell adorned with fruits, eggs and a bottle of wine as the clapper. The fruits symbolize God’s gift to mankind, the eggs symbolize life, and the wine symbolizes the joy of life.
This year, there are four young girls vying for the honor of becoming the 2023 Holy Ghost Queen by selling the most drawing tickets for a $1 donation. They are Chloe Ann Kalikolehuanani Kidani, daughter of Candice and Christopher Kidani; Bryanah Megan Jhanel Castro, daughter of Bonifacio and Mary Jane Castro; Blaine Ole Fernandez, daughter of Nelia and Leonardo Fernandez; and Maile Grace Akiko Kawamura, daughter of Steven and Ally Kawamura.
The event is at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church located at 45-5028 Plumeria St. in Honokaa. Contact the church office for more details at (808) 775-9591.