Hawaii's Celtic Connection

We have a saying in the islands: "Lucky you live Hawai’i." Combine that with "Luck o’ the Irish" and you get "Lucky you’re Irish and live in Hawai’i." Okay, I just made that up, but it’s a sentiment that I believe will be expressed by many as the St. Patrick’s Day events unfold here in Honolulu.

Not to be missed is the 53rd annual Emerald Ball and Silent Auction hosted by Margie Lehman at Planet Hollywood in Waikiki on Saturday, March 10, 2007, beginning at 6:00 pm. The Emerald Ball is one of the major fundraising events for The Society of the Friends of St. Patrick of Hawai’i, a charitable and benevolent organization that provides educational, social, and networking opportunities for anyone interested in all things Irish. Judging by the pictures of last year’s event (found on their website at www.irishclubhawaii.com), the evening promises to be a fantastic combination of food, fun, entertainment, with more than a wee bit o’ Irish laughter.

The following Saturday, on March 17, 2007, the 40th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade will commence in Waikiki at around 11:00 am. They are expecting a large number of participants and spectators for this event, especially since it falls on a Saturday, so if you’re in Hawai’i and planning to attend, it would be best to get there early to avoid parking and traffic issues. Wear green!

Full details on both events can be found in the Hawaii Irish Tribune newsletter affectionately titled "The Blatherskite" which means "foolish talk or nonsense." This month’s issue is at www.irishclubhawaii.com/blatherskite0207.pdf.

All that parading can work up a serious appetite and thirst. Good news: the After Parade Party will begin at Kelly O’Neil’s Pub on Lewers Street in Waikiki and will end up in Downtown Honolulu at O’Toole’s Pub on Nuuanu Street. The block between O’Toole’s and Murphy’s Bar and Grill on Merchant Street will be cordoned off for a massive Irish Block Party. Details on the locations, menus, and history of these excellent pubs (I’ve had many two-hour lunches at O’Toole’s and I know what I’m talking about) can be found at www.irishpubhawaii.com.

Now, if you’re thinking that after all this you’ll have to wait a full year to again enjoy Celtic culture in Hawai’i, let me assure you that there are a number of Irish and Scottish organizations here who hold social, educational, and networking events throughout the year. I spoke with two of the directors of The Society of the Friends of St. Patrick of Hawai’i, Tim O’Grady and Ian Wilson, and they graciously filled me in on their club and on a few of the others, including The Wild Shamrocks and The Saint Andrew’s Society.

According to Mr. O’Grady, the different Celtic groups network among themselves and support each other’s events. The trend towards a united Celtic group took a step forward in May 2006 when the New World Celts, Hawai’i Chapter was formed. Mr. Wilson, the current Vice-President of the group, encourages anyone who is interested in Celtic culture to contact them. Details on the association can be found at www.newworldcelts.org and information about the Hawai’i Chapter can be requested from their Secretary, Ming Constable, via email to: hapahulamama@hawaii.rr.com.

I look forward to learning more about my Celtic neighbors as I enjoy cottage pie and Guinness (just a dram, mind you) on this St. Patrick’s Day. No doubt I’ll speak with a thick brogue for weeks thereafter. I hope so, as Mr. O’Grady’s "Goodbye, lass" at the end of our conversation sounded so charming.

For now, let me bid you a warm Irish aloha: Slán agus beannacht leat (slawn ogg-us ban-ocked lyat), which means "Goodbye and Blessings with You."

Sandy McKee

Contact Sandy at SandyM@TheNationalNetWorker.com or TNNW Blog.