KOANI FOUNDATION PRESENTS FOURTEENTH ANNUAL HAWAIIAN KINGDOM PATRIOT AWARDS AT LA HOI`HO`I EA 

Meleanna Aluli Meyer & Renwick "Uncle Joe" Tassill

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Koani Foundation Director Leon Siu Presents The Awards For Meleanna Aluli Meyer (r) & Renwick "Uncle Joe" Tassill (l.) Accepting For "Uncle Joe" Tassill Is His Son, Kalani Tassill.

The Koani Foundation has given its fourteenth annual Hawaiian Kingdom Patriot Awards honoring two significant Hawaiian Kingdom patriots yesterday, Sunday, July 26th at Thomas Square Park in Honolulu.

The awards presentation took place at Thomas Square as part of a daylong observance of Lā Ho`iho`i Ea, Hawaiian Sovereignty Restoration Day. The 2026 honorees are Meleanna Aluli Meyer and the late Renwick “Uncle Joe” Tassill.

Meleanna Aluli Meyer is a kanaka `oiwi, or indigenous Hawaiian activist, educator, filmmaker and visual artist.  She considers herself a creator and translator of visual media. Her deep dives into Hawai`iʻs culture and arts have been a lifelong and ongoing passion for her. She is honored for her visionary work and her many years of serving as a role model to the Hawaiian community. She is awarded the 2026 Hawaiian Kingdom Living Patriot Award.

The late “Uncle Joe” Tassill was a beloved Hawaiian community leader, activist, and former Hawaiian Homes Commissioner who was known for his advocacy for native Hawaiian rights, Kupuna (elders,) and the sovereignty of the Hawaiian Kingdom. He is honored with the the 2026 posthumous Hawaiian Kingdom Patriot Award.

“We recognize Meleanna as a visionary in the way she weaves culture, reconciliation, healing and support of `ike Hawai`i, or Hawaiian knowledge into her amazing work on various platforms and media. Meleanna is a creator, healer, advocate for art and social justice, a filmmaker, artist and storyteller who knows the power of our cultural art to connect us to our history and each other,” states Koani Foundation director `Ehu Kekahu Cardwell.

“ʻUncle Joeʻ Tassill was a beloved member of the Hawaiian community. He was known for his work at the Department of Hawaiian Homelands and was also a beacon of Hawaiian consciousness and spirit,” remarked Koani Foundation director Leon Siu.

Hawaiian Sovereignty Restoration Day marks July 31,1843 when British Admiral Richard Thomas ordered the Union Jack lowered and the Hawaiian Kingdom flag hoisted above Honolulu, ending five months of British occupation and restoring the sovereignty of the Hawaiian Kingdom government to legitimate power.

SAVE THE DATE - SATURDAY, AUGUST 1ST - DONʻT MISS IT

HAPPENING THIS COMING SUNDAY - BE THERE

SAVE THE DATE & BE THERE

KOANI FOUNDATION PRESENTS THIRTEENTH ANNUAL HAWAIIAN KINGDOM PATRIOT AWARDS AT LA HOI`HO`I EA 

Hinaleimoana Wong & Keoki Fukumitsu

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Koani Foundation Director Leon Siu Presents The Awards For Hinaleimoana Wong & Keoki Fukumitsu. Accepting For Keoki Fukumitsu Is His Son, Kolea Fukumitsu.

 

The Koani Foundation has given its thirteenth annual Hawaiian Kingdom Patriot Awards honoring two significant Hawaiian Kingdom patriots yesterday, Sunday, July 27th at Thomas Square Park in Honolulu.

The awards presentation took place at Thomas Square as part of a daylong observance of Lā Ho`iho`i Ea, Hawaiian Sovereignty Restoration Day. The 2025 honorees are Hinaleimoana Wong and the late Keoki Fukumitsu.

Hinaleimoana Wong is a kumu hula, filmmaker, cultural activist, Hawaiian language speaker, preservationist and community leader. She has served in the past as a member of the O`ahu Island Burial Council. She is honored for her many years of serving as a role model to the Hawaiian community as well as others. She is awarded the 2025 Hawaiian Kingdom Living Patriot Award.

The late Keoki Fukumitsu was a well-known and respected kalo or taro rights advocate, activist, organizer and and kumu mahia`ai kalo, or master taro farmer whose family has resided in the Ko`olaupoko region for over seven generations. He is honored with the the 2025 posthumous Hawaiian Kingdom Patriot Award.

“We recognize Hina for her exceptional dedication as an advocate, visionary, educator and activist for Hawai`iʻs people and culture. Her aloha for our `āina and our lāhui continues to inspire countless others to follow in her footsteps,” states Koani Foundation director `Ehu Kekahu Cardwell.

“Keoki Fukumitsu known as the ʻKalo Manʻ fought tirelessly for Hawaiian land rights as well as kalo rights and the central place that kalo occupies in Hawaiianʻs diets and culture. His aloha for both Hawai`iʻs `āina and itʻs people continues to inspire many others to mālama or take care of our precious homeland and food sources,” remarked Koani Foundation director Leon Siu.

Hawaiian Sovereignty Restoration Day marks July 31,1843 when British Admiral Richard Thomas ordered the Union Jack lowered and the Hawaiian Kingdom flag hoisted above Honolulu, ending five months of British occupation and restoring the sovereignty of the Hawaiian Kingdom government to legitimate power.

 

KE AUPUNI UPDATE - JULY 2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hawaiiʻs First National Holiday

On February 11, 1843 a British naval officer, Captain Lord George Paulet, arrived in Honolulu to investigate a land dispute complaint by Richard Charlton, the British Consul to Hawaii.

When negotiations with King Kamehameha III did not go his way, Paulet seized control of the Hawaiian Kingdom for the British Crown. Paulet did not know that three envoys from Hawaii — Timoteo Ha’alilio, William Richards and Sir George Simpson — were already in England negotiating with the United Kingdom to formally recognize the Hawaiian Kingdom as a sovereign country. Upon learning of Paulet’s brazen seizure of Hawaii, the delegation filed a diplomatic protest with British authorities.

On July 26, 1843 British Admiral Richard Thomas, arrived in Honolulu to put an end to Paulet’s illegal occupation. On July 31 at a site now called, Thomas Square (in honor of the admiral) the British flag was lowered and the flag of Hawaii was raised acknowledging Hawai‘i’s sovereignty and restoring King Kamehameha III as the rightful ruler.

At a speech at Kawaiaha‘o Church later that day, King Kamehameha III declared, Ua mau ke eā o ka ‘āina i ka pono (The sovereignty of the land is perpetuated in righteousness). It became the official motto of the Hawaiian Kingdom and was such a good motto that even the fake Territory and State of Hawaii adopted it for their motto too.

King Kamehameha III declared July 31 to be celebrated as Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea, Sovereignty Restoration Day in perpetuity. So, from 1843 to 1893, it was robustly celebrated throughout the Kingdom as a week-long national holiday marked by patriotic speeches and activities; music, crafts, games, food and community events.

But in 1893, Hawai‘i once again came under an illegal occupation, this time by greedy traitors and seditious foreigners backed by a ruthless U.S. minister with a fully armed force of U.S. sailors and marines.

The usurpers banned celebrations of Lā Ho‘iho‘i Ea, along with other national holidays such as Lā Ku‘oko’a, Hawaiiʻs Independence Day. Unlike the one that began in 1893, the illegal occupation of 1843 lasted, morphing into the fake “Territory of Hawaii”, then todayʻs fake “State of Hawaii”.

In 1985. however, Hawaiian national scholar, patriot and activist Dr. Kekuni Blaisdell and friends revived Lā Ho‘iho‘i Ea to assert and celebrate Hawaii’s sovereignty, despite the nearly century-long U.S. occupation. Lā Ho‘iho‘i Ea is now celebrated by a huge gathering at Thomas Square in Honolulu, and by numerous gatherings and activities throughout the islands.

This year, even the “State of Hawaii”, joins inrecognizing Lā Ho‘iho‘i Eā and Lā Ku‘oko’a, as Hawaiian Kingdom national holidays. Another sign that a Free Hawaii is getting close…

Aloha ʻĀina —
“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 7 PM, the first Friday of each month on ʻŌlelo Television, Channel 53.

-----
"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 – log in to PayPal and pay to the account, info@HawaiianKingdom.net

• Other – To contribute in other ways (airline miles, travel vouchers, volunteer service, etc...) email us at: info@HawaiianKingdom.net  

Malama Pono,
Leon Siu
Hawaiian National

DONʻT MISS IT - THIS COMING SATURDAY

ONE WEEK FROM TODAY ON HAWAI`I ISLAND

CELEBRATE LĀ HO`IHO`I EA 2025 IN WAIMĀNALO

FREE HAWAI`I TV
THE FREE HAWAI`I BROADCASTING NETWORK
 
"WHICH HAWAIIAN KINGDOM NATIONAL HOLIDAY IS COMING?"
 

Itʻs Almost Here, But Do You Know What It Is?

It Honors The Ending Of An Illegal Occupation Of Hawai`i.

Nope, Not The Illegal US Occupation, That Oneʻs Still Going On.

Watch This To See Which Country Actually Restored Hawai`iʻs Sovereignty.
 

 

KE AUPUNI UPDATE - JULY 2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hawaiiʻs First National Holiday

On February 11, 1843 a British naval officer, Captain Lord George Paulet, arrived in Honolulu to investigate a land dispute complaint by Richard Charlton, the British Consul to Hawaii.

When negotiations with King Kamehameha III did not go his way, Paulet seized control of the Hawaiian Kingdom for the British Crown. Paulet did not know that three envoys from Hawaii — Timoteo Ha’alilio, William Richards and Sir George Simpson — were already in England negotiating with the United Kingdom to formally recognize the Hawaiian Kingdom as a sovereign country. Upon learning of Paulet’s brazen seizure of Hawaii, the delegation filed a diplomatic protest with British authorities.

On July 26, 1843 British Admiral Richard Thomas, arrived in Honolulu to put an end to Paulet’s illegal occupation. On July 31 at a site now called, Thomas Square (in honor of the admiral) the British flag was lowered and the flag of Hawaii was raised acknowledging Hawai‘i’s sovereignty and restoring King Kamehameha III as the rightful ruler.

At a speech at Kawaiaha‘o Church later that day, King Kamehameha III declared, Ua mau ke eā o ka ‘āina i ka pono (The sovereignty of the land is perpetuated in righteousness). It became the official motto of the Hawaiian Kingdom and was such a good motto that even the fake Territory and State of Hawaii adopted it for their motto too.

King Kamehameha III declared July 31 to be celebrated as Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea, Sovereignty Restoration Day in perpetuity. So, from 1843 to 1893, it was robustly celebrated throughout the Kingdom as a week-long national holiday marked by patriotic speeches and activities; music, crafts, games, food and community events.

But in 1893, Hawai‘i once again came under an illegal occupation, this time by greedy traitors and seditious foreigners backed by a ruthless U.S. minister with a fully armed force of U.S. sailors and marines.

The usurpers banned celebrations of Lā Ho‘iho‘i Ea, along with other national holidays such as Lā Ku‘oko’a, Hawaiiʻs Independence Day. Unlike the one that began in 1893, the illegal occupation of 1843 lasted, morphing into the fake “Territory of Hawaii”, then todayʻs fake “State of Hawaii”.

In 1985. however, Hawaiian national scholar, patriot and activist Dr. Kekuni Blaisdell and friends revived Lā Ho‘iho‘i Ea to assert and celebrate Hawaii’s sovereignty, despite the nearly century-long U.S. occupation. Lā Ho‘iho‘i Ea is now celebrated by a huge gathering at Thomas Square in Honolulu, and by numerous gatherings and activities throughout the islands.

This year, even the “State of Hawaii”, joins inrecognizing Lā Ho‘iho‘i Eā and Lā Ku‘oko’a, as Hawaiian Kingdom national holidays. Another sign that a Free Hawaii is getting close…

Aloha ʻĀina —
“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 7 PM, the first Friday of each month on ʻŌlelo Television, Channel 53.

-----
"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 – log in to PayPal and pay to the account, info@HawaiianKingdom.net

• Other – To contribute in other ways (airline miles, travel vouchers, volunteer service, etc...) email us at: info@HawaiianKingdom.net  

Malama Pono,
Leon Siu
Hawaiian National

DONʻT MISS THIS TOMORROW IN HONOLULU

DONʻT MISS IT - THIS COMING SUNDAY IN WAI`ANAE

KOANI FOUNDATION PRESENTS TWELFTH ANNUAL HAWAIIAN KINGDOM PATRIOT AWARDS AT LA HOI`HO`I EA 

Pōkā Laenui & Abel Simeona Lui Honored

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Koani Foundation Director Leon Siu Presents The Awards For Pōkā Laenui (r) & Abel Simeona Lui. Accepting For Abel Simeona Lui is His Brother, Bernard Lui (l).

 

The Koani Foundation has given its twelfth annual Hawaiian Kingdom Patriot Awards honoring two significant Hawaiian Kingdom patriots yesterday, Sunday, July 28th at Thomas Square Park in Honolulu.

The awards presentation took place at Thomas Square as part of a daylong observance of Lā Ho`iho`i Ea, Hawaiian Sovereignty Restoration Day. The 2024 honorees are Pōkā Laenui and the late Abel Simeona Lui.

Pōkā Laenui is a long time Hawaiian rights activist, educator and visionary. He is honored for his years as a leader in advocating for a free and independent Hawai`i. Pōkā is awarded the 2024 Hawaiian Kingdom Living Patriot Award.

The late Abel Simeona Lui is honored in recognition of a lifetime of exceptional sacrifice and dedication in advocating and living aloha `āina. He is honored with the the 2024 posthumous Hawaiian Kingdom Patriot Award.

“We recognize Pōkā for his lifetime of exceptional dedication as an advocate, visionary, educator and activist for Hawai`iʻs independence. His profound aloha for our `āina and our lāhui continues to inspire countless others to continue to work for a free Hawai`i,” states Koani Foundation director `Ehu Kekahu Cardwell.

“Abel Lui was a courageous protector, educator and leader in advocating and living aloha `āina. His aloha for both Hawai`iʻs `āina and itʻs people continues to inspire many others to mālama or take care of our precious homeland today as well as in the years to come,” remarked Koani Foundation director Leon Siu.

Hawaiian Sovereignty Restoration Day marks July 31,1843 when British Admiral Richard Thomas ordered the Union Jack lowered and the Hawaiian Kingdom flag hoisted above Honolulu, ending five months of British occupation and restoring the sovereignty of the Hawaiian Kingdom government to legitimate power.

LĀ HO`IHO`I EA NEXT WEDNESDAY ON MAUI

 

FREE HAWAI`I TV
THE FREE HAWAI`I BROADCASTING NETWORK
 
"ITʻS ALMOST HERE & YOU DONʻT WANT TO MISS IT"

 

Itʻs Right Around The Corner.

One Of The Most Important Days In Hawaiian Kingdom History.

Itʻs What Great Britain Did That The US Still Has Never Done.

Watch This To See How You Can Celebrate This Amazing Event.  

BE THERE SATURDAY - LĀ HOI`HO`I EA ON HAWAI`I ISLAND

 

DONʻT MISS IT - TOMORROW IN WAI`ANAE

 

CELEBRATING LĀ HO`IHO`I EA 2024

 

LĀ HOI`HO`I EA ON HAWAI`I ISLAND