KE AUPUNI UPDATE - JULY 2024
Independence…
A couple of days ago, on July 4, the United States of America celebrated its Independence Day — the 248th anniversary of the issuance of the Declaration of Independence, in which the 13 Colonies laid out their reasons for their rebellion against British rule. The war had already started the year before, in 1775, and would not conclude until 8 years later. So, it wasn’t until they won the war in 1783 that the 13 Colonies actually became independent and formed the United States. Nevertheless, July 4 is celebrated as America’s Independence Day.
The Hawaii Kingdom also celebrates an Independence Day. We call it Lā Kuʻokoʻa, commemorating the day, November 28, 1843, when two important countries, Great Britain and France formally recognized the Hawaiian Kingdom as a sovereign, independent state. So how old does that make the Hawaiian Kingdom? Most people would do the math and say the Hawaiian Kingdom is 181 years old this year. But they would be wrong.
The country known as the Hawaiian Kingdom did not start 181 years ago. That was only the point in which Great Britain and France recognized the Hawaiian Kingdom as an existing sovereign independent state. They were not creating a new country or granting independence. They were simply acknowledging a fact: that the Hawaiian Kingdom is a sovereign country just like themselves.
The Hawaiian Kingdom did not suddenly materialize because of that recognition. No, indeed. The roots of the nation go much further back than 1843.
Hawaii is ancient. It has been sovereign and self-governing since time immemorial. No people other than Hawaiians ever ruled over Hawaii. That is what makes America’s rule in Hawaii so wrong and such an anomaly.
Yes, the colonies won their independence from Britain but where did Britain get those huge territories from? Why, the Brits just barged in, stole, killed, pillaged and colonized the lands from the Indigenous sovereign nations (since-time-immemorial) of Turtle Island. Such is the cruel legacy of colonialism.
But what is unique about Hawaii is: despite the United States’ ruling our Islands for the past 126 years, Hawaii’s sovereignty is still intact. You have often heard our scholars and advocates say, the Hawaiian Kingdom is a sovereign nation in continuity. How can they say that?
Because in 1842, King Kamehameha III implemented a brilliant strategy. He decided to safeguard his nation from colonizers by joining the colonizers exclusive sovereignty club. He sent emissaries to England to petition the Queen of the United Kingdom to recognize the Hawaiian Kingdom as an equal sovereign state. They succeeded when the United Kingdom and the the Kingdom of France issued the Joint Proclamation recognizing Hawaii’s sovereignty on the day we now celebrate as Lā Kuʻokoʻa.
This brought Hawaii into the special colonial insiders’ club where rules protect the members’ sovereignty and national interests. The only two ways a country can lose its sovereignty are: 1) by being conquered in war, or 2) by voluntarily giving it away. None of which happened in Hawaii. Thus, despite the United States’ rude annexation and prolonged military occupation, and despite the false narratives and ignorant actions by the international community (like the UN), the sovereignty of the Hawaiian Kingdom could not have been and was never lost or extinguished.
So when we say, the Hawaiian Kingdom is a sovereign, independent nation in continuity, it really is true! Not only since 1843, but going way, way back. In reality, Hawaii is a far older sovereign country than the United States.
It is this sovereign status won by King Kamehameha III in 1843 and invoked by Queen Liliʻuokalani in her diplomatic protest in 1893 that is, according to international law the key to the reinstatement of the Hawaiian Kingdom.
“Love of country is deep-seated in the breast of every Hawaiian, whatever his station.” — Queen Liliʻuokalani
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Ua mau ke ea o ka ʻāina i ka pono. The sovereignty of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.
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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.
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"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…
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Malama Pono,
Leon Siu
Hawaiian National
