KE AUPUNI UPDATE - NOVEMBER 2024
Celebrating La Ku'oko'a – Independence Day
On November 28, 1843 (181 years ago) the Kingdom of France and the United Kingdom formally recognized the Sandwich Islands (the Hawaiian Kingdom) as a sovereign, independent nation-state. In Hawaii, King Kamehameha III declared the date a national holiday and La Ku'oko'a was joyously celebrated as a holiday in the Kingdom for over 50 years!
That is, until 1895 when it so happened the American holiday “Thanksgiving Day” fell on November 28. The usurping “Republic of Hawaii”, trying to curry favor for annexation, made the American Thanksgiving Day, the national holiday instead of La Ku'oko'a.
From then on, under increasing American domination, the Hawaiian Kingdom high holiday of La Ku'oko'a was overshadowed, fell by the wayside and lost to memory. But about 30 years ago an intrepid group of Aloha ʻĀina (Hawaii patriots), led by Papa Kekuni Blaisdell started to revive the observance of La Kuʻokoʻa, along with La Hoʻihoʻi Ea which had also been forgotten. Ever since, these holidays have been increasingly celebrated with activities and events in several communities throughout the Pae ʻĀina, our nation.
It so happens that this year, the American Thanksgiving Day falls on November 28, the day of La Ku'oko'a… Let's see if we can turn this 181st anniversary into an opportunity to increase and spread awareness of the significance of La Ku’oko'a among our friends and families…
This is the perfect opportunity for those who celebrate the tradition of Thanksgiving to take a few minutes that day to share with our families and friends about the significance of La Ku'oko'a, Hawaii's Independence Day and to give thanks that our country survived despite 131 years of efforts to erase our true identity and suppress our existence.
Telling our stories like La Ku’oko'a will help to awaken in our people a sense of pride in our heritage and help fuel the vision of Hawaii as a vibrant independent country!
This is an opportunity to effectively teach more of our 'ohana, in the intimacy of our homes, about the story of Hawaii's Independence Day and that, because of the wisdom and courage of Queen Liliʻuokalani and our kūpuna who stood in solidarity with her, that we are positioned and empowered to bring our country out of captivity!
In this intimate setting with loved ones all over the islands and, indeed, all over the world, we can reach more people than a series of public rallies. And what if families posted a shout-out to La Kuʻokoʻa on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, X, etc? Every time we tell our country's story, it affirms who we are; it becomes more personal; it becomes our story… and the fervor for restoration of our nation spreads.
“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…
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
