KE AUPUNI UPDATE - JUNE 2024
A Pacific Celebration…
Hawaii is currently hosting a massive ten-day event called the Pacific Festival of the Arts and Culture (FestPac), bringing together delegations of artists, dancers, musicians and cultural practitioners from 28 Pacific Island nations celebrating the peoples of Moananuiakea (the Pacific Islands), Polynesians, Micronesians, Melanesians and Austronesians.
The prelude to FestPac was the gathering of the famous voyaging canoe, Hōkūleʻa, and dozens of her offspring since being launched at Kualoa 49 years ago. Just as ‘a rising tide lifts all boats’ Hōkūleʻa had a profound impact in awakening not only the voyaging traditions but raising up the strength, skills, spirit and dignity of peoples of the Pacific. That was evident as thousands gathered to welcome and celebrate the crews and builders of these amazing vessels, like those that our ancestors used to shrink the vast reaches of their watery home.
On June 6, the opening ceremonies of FestPac welcomed the most amazing parade of the myriad faces, smiles, sounds, dances and regalia of our Pacific Islands ʻOhana (family).
The festival continues for the next 7 days at the Hawaii Convention Center with presentations, seminars, and discussions of the issues facing Pasifika. Also, in the exhibition hall there is a fantastical village featuring the cultures of the various islands. To register to attend this event go to: www.FestPacHawaii.org
This is the 13th FestPac, and the first time it is being hosted by Hawaii… that is, the “State of Hawaii, USA”. Governor Josh Green is the official host. The huge budget for this massive event comes from the State and its agencies, the US Federal government, US non-profit organizations, American businesses, etc.
The organizers of FestPac fastidiously steered clear of any mention that this is really the Kingdom of the Hawaiian Islands, not the State of Hawaii, USA. As the U.S. presumes to be the gatekeeper to determine who could come and go from our country (the Hawaiian Kingdom), all “foreign” delegations, and participants had to go through stringent U.S. Customs, FBI and Homeland Security clearance to enter the “US State of Hawaii”.
It's okay, though, because now we have a great template for the next time we have an international celebration of such magnitude — the celebration of the restoration 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…
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
