Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 10, Number 2, 1 February 1993 — ʻOnipaʻa Centennial sets stage for new century [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ʻOnipaʻa Centennial sets stage for new century

by Deborah L. Ward Last month, the people of Hawai'i and Hawaiians throughout the world marked with solemn ceremony the I00th anniversary of the most significant event in the modern history of these islands, the Overthrow in January 1893 of the Kingdom of Hawai'i by a small band of foreign businessmen backed by U.S. troops. Thousands flocked to the 'Iolani Palaee grounds, and to churches, schools, parks and public buildings on all islands, to remember this sad and tumultuous time. Thousands more listened to and

Notice to readers: This month's edition of Ka Wai Ola O OHA was delayed to bring you coverage of the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Overthrow.

watched broadcast coverage of the Centennial events. Many hope this increased attention will advance Hawaiian rights in the United Nations' "Year of Indigenous People." It is also the year in whieh

Hawaiians will look to the U.S. Congress to officially apologize for its role in the overthrow of the Hawaiian nation. An official apology from the United Church of Christ for its complicity in the events of 1 893 was made on Jan. 17 in Honolulu. Hawaiians from all walks of life participated in vigils and

spiritual services and cultural demonstrations, and watched a re-enactment drama and programs featuring the music of Queen Lili'uokalani. The five days of commemoration began Jan. 13 with a spiritual service at

Mauna 'Ala, the Royal Mausoleum, and an opening program at the Queen's statue on the Capitol mall. The Council of Hawaiian Organizations began a 100-hour vigil in front of the palaee gates on King St., to remember the 100 years. Hundreds of visitors streamed through their vigil tent,

whieh featured a photo of the Queen and other items. Hawaiian royal societies and other organizations participated in a "spiritual ho'okupu" presentation the next day at 'Iolani Palaee. Two representatives

from eaeh group paid silent tribute to the Queen by visiting the three rooms where the drama of the overthrow was played out. In the Blue Room, the Queen met with her cabinet ministers, who refused to support her new eonstitution and who instead met with her opponents. Embarassed and humiliated by their actions,

the Queen crossed the Grand Hall to the Throne Room. where her supporters had waited for hours only to hear her say she could not yet give them a new constitution. The three-day re-enactment drama began on Friday, Jan. 15, with scenes depicting the Queen's meetings with her ministers, and meetings of the "Committee of Safety." The drama continued over the weekend, building to its wrenching conclusion on Jan. 17. On Sunday, Jan. 17, throngs clustered about the play's actors, as well as speakers at the coronation pavilion (bandstand) continued page 4

'HnipaA

On the cover: Keeping the spirit of 'Onipa'a. Torch procession at 'lolani Palaee.

'lolani Palaee bandstand, Sunday, Jan. 17, 1993.

Hawai'i Gov. John Waihe'e at the centennial opening ceremony, where he announced he had ordered only the Hawaiian flag to fly over government buildings in downtown Honolulu during Jan. 13-17 in commemoration of the Over-throw. Strongly criticized by some for his action, Waihe'e said no disrespect was intended toward the American flag. Many Hawaiians at 'lolani Palaee supported his action by signing a petition.

OHA Chairman Clayton Hee presents ho'okupu at the centennial opening ceremony.

'Onipa'a: eall for restored sovereignty

from page 1 through the day into the evening. In the morning, Ka Lāhui Hawai'i members from all islands marched to the palaee more than 3,600 strong, chanting "Eo. Ea. Kēia manawa." (Sovereignty now.) Papakōlea homesteaders and Hawaiians from Lā'ie and northshore O'ahu also marched to the oalaee.

But the burning topic for speakers at 'Iolani Palaee on Jan. 17 was Hawaiian sovereignty and self-determination. A packed crowd estimated from 10,000 to 15,000 jammed the palaee grounds to hear the eall of Ka Lāhui Hawai'i, Lā Ea O Hawai'i, the 'Ohana Family Council, Council of Hawaiian Organizations and OHA eall for Hawaiians to reclaim their language, history, their kūpuna in the soil by fighting for their rights and accepting the responsibility to be informed, be educated and to "'Onipa'a." "We ask only for what is ours, for justice," said Sharon 'Tau'a" Pomroy of Kaua'i. "We are asking, humbly, for the return of our stolen property. There is no such thing as 'homestead land'," she said. "It is all stolen and we will not stop until we get it back." Kumu hula and teacher Kawaikapuokalani Hewett admonished the people in Hawaiian that when Hawaiians reclaim their spirituality, "under

that unification of pono, no one ean stop us. That will bring us together as one nation." He said it is the sacred responsibility of every Hawaiian to learn and use their native tongue. In the language is life and death, he reminded them. Speaking for Ka Lāhui Hawai'i, Kia 'Āina Mililani Trask said the centennial is the time to close the chapter of betrayal and oppression of 100 years. Instead, remembering the Queen's dignity against great odds, "It is now time to write a new chapter in the history of kanaka maoli," she said. She said it is time for the Hawaiian process of ho'opapa, great debate. It is the responsibility of the native people to define sovereignty, to look at models of sovereignty and decide. She defined five elements of sovereignty: a strong and abiding faith in Akua; recognition that Hawaiians are one family, one 'ohana; a land base; a structure of government; and development of an eeonomie base.

OHA chairman Clayton Hee, who spoke late in the day Sunday as part of an OHA speakers' forum, called for the support of the entire community to hold a Hawaiian constitutional convention to begin the process of restoring Hawaiian sovereignty. He warned that "Regaining our lands and sovereignty will not be easy. ... We

Hawaiians cannot do this alone. It will take the understanding and trust of all citizens of Hawai'i." The three-day public eommemoration in downtown Honolulu was coordinated by the 'Onipa'a Centennial Committee, with the cooperation of state and city governments. The committee was chaired by state Sen. Eloise Tungpalan and members represented diverse community interests. The eommittee was convened by OHA, and was funded by OHA, the state Legislature and private donations.

Sen. Tungpalan said "I'm overwhelmed with the fact that our Hawaiian leaders and people were able to eome together in peaee to mark the 100th anniversary of the Overthrow in a dignified way. This impressed the people of Hawai'i, including the press. It was an event to be shared with the state and the national. What made it profound was that we began to chart our destiny toward self-determina-tion." Tungpalan expressed the hope that the cooperation among groups whieh made the centennial observance possible will serve as a model for future coming together for sovereignty. She expressed thanks to all the volunteers and contributors who supported the 'Onipa'a Centennial with their aloha spirit.