Jon Osorio & Kai`ōpua Fyfe Honored
Accepting for the late Kai`ōpua Fyfe is Sabra Kauka.
The Koani Foundation awarded its fourth annual Hawaiian Kingdom Patriot Awards honoring two Hawaiian Kingdom patriots on Sunday, July 31st at Thomas Square in Honolulu in observance of La Ho`iho`i Ea, Hawaiian Sovereignty Restoration Day.
Dr. Jon Kamakawiwo`ole Osorio and the late Kai`ōpua Fyfe are the 2016 honorees.
Dr. Jon Osorio, PhD of Honolulu is honored as a prolific and much respected author of scholarly commentaries on the history of the Hawaiian Kingdom as well as the continued and illegal US occupation of Hawai`i today.
He is also recognized as an accomplished musician and songwriter and professor of Hawaiian Studies at the University of Hawai`i at Mānoa.
The late Kai`ōpua Fyfe of Līhu`e, Kaua`i is honored posthumously for his many years serving as a Director of the Koani Foundation.
Kai`ōpua Fyfe also dedicated many years of his life advocating for a Free Hawai`i at the United Nations in New York City and also at the UNʻs Human Rights Council in Geneva Switzerland.
“The successes and diplomatic breakthroughs which are now occurring for the Hawaiian Kingdom are a direct result of the groundwork that Kai`ōpua quietly strived to accomplish over many years,” stated Koani Foundation Director Ku`ahi Wong.
“Both Jon Osorio and Kai`ōpua Fyfe are two more amazing and inspirational examples of what it means to live oneʻs life as a Hawaiian Kingdom patriot every day. Their tireless work for a Free Hawai`i inspires countless others to follow in their footsteps.”
