Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 39, Number 8, 1 August 2022 — OHA Board Chair Lindsey's Statement on Lā Ho'iho'i Ea [ARTICLE]

OHA Board Chair Lindsey's Statement on Lā Ho'iho'i Ea

"At the state capitol [on July 18], Gov. David Ige held a commemorative bill presentation marking the passage of HB2475, whieh designates July 31 of eaeh year as a special day of observance in honor of Lā Ho'iho'i Ea, or Sovereignty Restoration Day. "In 1843, Lā Ho'iho'i Ea commemorated the reinstatement of the government of the Hawaiian Kingdom after the British ambassador and a British Navy captain illegally seized control of the nation. It was King Kauikeaouli Kamehameha III who established

this first national holiday of the Hawaiian Kingdom following the return of the government by the United Kingdom, proclaiming "Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono - the life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness," whieh would heeome the motto of the monarchy and, in 1959, the official motto of the State of Hawai'i. "Eaeh year, this proclamation will present an exceptional opportunity to inform all of Hawai'i, and especially our future generations, of the important

and unique history of our islands. It has been said that only by remembering our past ean we breathe ea - sovereignty_and independence - into our future. Mahalo to the 'Oiwi who advocated for this designation, to Rep. Mark Nakashima for introducing this bill, to our state legislators, and to Gov. Ige for signing it into law and for recognizing the importance of King Kamehameha III's established holiday in a days-long celebration following the rightful return of Hawai'i's sovereign government by the United Kingdom." ■