KE AUPUNI UPDATE - JULY 2024
Hawaiiʻs First National Holiday
Next weekend Hawaiian Nationals will be celebrating the 181st anniversary of Lahoihoi Ea, “Sovereignty Restoration Day”.
On February 11, 1843 a British naval officer Captain Lord George Paulet arrived in Honolulu to investigate a land dispute complaint filed by Richard Charlton, the British Consul to Hawaii.
When negotiations with King Kamehameha III did not go his way, Paulet’s cavalier colonial response was to seize control of the Hawaiian Kingdom and place it under the British Crown. But unbeknownst to Paulet, three envoys from Hawaii — Timoteo Ha’alilio, William Richards and Sir George Simpson — were already in Europe negotiating with the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of France for formal recognition of the Hawaiian Kingdom as a sovereign nation. Upon learning of Paulet’s brazen action in Hawaii, they filed a protest with British authorities.
On July 26, 1843 British Admiral Richard Thomas sailed into Honolulu harbor on his flagship HMS Dublin to put an end Captain Paulet’s illegal occupation. Reserving the right to protect British citizens, Adm. Thomas clearly affirmed Great Britain’s respect for the sovereignty of the Hawaiian Kingdom.
On July 31, 1843 a ceremony lowering the British flag and raising the flag of Hawaii was held at a site now called Thomas Square in honor of the admiral and the occasion. The ceremony acknowledged Hawai‘i’s sovereign stature and restored King Kamehameha III as the rightful ruler. A phrase from the speech made that day by Kamehameha III at Kawaiah‘o Church, Ua mau ke eā o ka ‘āina i ka pono (The sovereignty of the land is preserved through righteousness), remains the official motto of the Hawaiian Kingdom to this day. Even the usurper State of Hawaii has adopted it as their state motto.
Lā Ho‘iho‘i Ea
For 50 years, from 1843 to 1893, Lā Ho‘iho‘i Ea, was celebrated as a week long national holiday marked by Hawaiian patriotism and all the best that our islands have to offer including music, crafts, games, food and community events.
In 1893, Hawai‘i once again came under illegal occupation (this time by the United States) and Lā Ho‘iho‘i Ea, was banned in Hawai‘i, along with other national holidays such as Hawaii Independence Day, Lā Ku‘oko’a. Unlike the illegal occupation of 1843, the one that began in 1893 continues until today.
However, Lā Ho‘iho‘i Ea experienced a rebirth in 1985 when Hawaiian national scholar, patriot and activist Dr. Kekuni Blaisdell resurrected this holiday to honor and celebrate our continued independence and sovereignty, despite the nearly century-long American occupation. This Hawaiian Kingdom holiday is now celebrated by a huge gathering at Thomas Square in Honolulu, and by numerous gatherings and activities throughout the islands.
Happily, this year, even the US-installed puppet government, the “State of Hawaii”, is recognizing Lā Ho‘iho‘i Eā and Lā Ku‘oko’a, as two of the Hawaiian Kingdomʻs most important national holidays. Another sign that a Free Hawaii continues to rise…
“Love of country is deep-seated in the breast of every Hawaiian, whatever his station.” — Queen Liliʻuokalani
----------
Ua mau ke ea o ka ʻāina i ka pono. The sovereignty of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.
------
For the latest news and developments about our progress at the United Nations in both New York and Geneva, tune in to Free Hawaii News at
6 PM the first Friday of each month on ʻŌlelo Television, Channel 53.
------
"And remember, for the latest updates and information about the Hawaiian Kingdom check out the twice-a-month Ke Aupuni Updates published online on Facebook and other social media."
PLEASE KŌKUA…
Your kōkua, large or small, is vital to this effort...
To contribute, go to:
• GoFundMe – CAMPAIGN TO FREE HAWAII
• PayPal – use account email: info@HawaiianKingdom.net
• Other – To contribute in other ways (airline miles, travel vouchers, volunteer services, etc...) email us at: info@HawaiianKingdom.net
All proceeds are used to help the cause. MAHALO!
Malama Pono,
Leon Siu
Hawaiian National
