Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 40, Number 3, 1 March 2023 — Eōeka Wehi, e Ke Ali'i Kalaniana'ole! [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Eōeka Wehi, e Ke Ali'i Kalaniana'ole!

By Hailama V.K.K. Farden Ke ho'omana'o aku nei kākou i ka lā hānau 152 o ke Ali'i Makaainana, 'o ia ho'i 'o Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana'ole i hānau 'ia ma ka lā 26 o Maraki, mk 1871 ma Kōloa, Kaua'i. This month we celebrate one of Hawai'i's most impactful leaders - one not only born into the pedigree of Hawaiian royalty whose bloodline weaves and binds four great island chiefly lineages, but whose influence significantly shaped Hawai'i. His Royal Highness Prince (HRH) Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana'ole was elected as Hawai'i's delegate to the U.S. Congress, serving 10 consecutive terms in Washington, D.C., from 1903 to his death on Jan. 7, 1922. Rooted in his royal heritage, his names Kūhiō (to stand [to lean] with foresight) and Kalaniana'ole (a chief without measure), foretold his magnanimous life of service. HRH Kalaniana'ole was an effective leader whose only vote in the U.S. Congress was through the confidence of his colleagues in Washington, D.C., because, as a "delegate" (as opposed to a representative or senator), HRH Kalaniana'ole did not have an actual vote. Consider, then, the magnitude of his intelligence, charisma, and political aeumen that he was able to influence an all-white Congress to adopt what would eome to be known as the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act (HHCA), later signed into law by then-U.S. President Warren G. Harding on July 9, 1921. Kalaniana'ole was elected as Hawai'i's Congressional delegate in 1902 and never relinquished his 'ahu'ula (mantle) of sacred responsibility to his people - an assignment bestowed upon him by his unele, His Majesty King Kalākaua. Though his path of kuleana may have seemed to verge ffom his royal birthright as leader in the Hawaiian Kingdom after 1893 - did it really? Was he not the same great impactful ali'i who saw to the wellbeing of his people? Did he stray from or ignore his responsibilities to his people? This answer, of course, is an unwavering "'a'ole loa!" His work to uplift the wellbeing and civic identity of his people in Hawai'i is a part of an unbroken ehain of responsibility linked to the establishment of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1810 by King Kamehameha I, through the notable contributions of King Kamehameha III, and on through (and not ending with) Her Majesty Queen Lili'uokalani! HRH Kalaniana'ole's civic contributions are more than significant. He assured that the voice of the people would never be silent by founding the Ahahui Kamehameha (today known as the Royal Order of Kamehameha I), the 'Ahahui Pu'uhonua

no nā Hawai'i, and the Hawaiian Civic Club (today significantly grown to 63 clubs and known as the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs). The Prince's contributions will never be forgotten and should be celebrated by all - not only by beneficiaries of the HHCA, or the members of the Royal Order of Kamehameha I and the Association of Hawaiian Clubs - but by all Kānaka 'Ōiwi Hawai'i and our guests. When one speaks of degrees of separation, no matter our lineages, we may not be as separated as one might think because of the pilina promulgated by our prince! In light of recent challenges to select a new Department of Hawaiian Home Lands' director, it is my hope that all who have had, and will have, involvement in the selection of this important role (including all potential candidates), not only think about the context whieh they honor, but hopefully have and will always defend, the contextual foundations established in the formation of the HHCA and the vision of Prince Kalaniana'ole (and I trust they do)! ■ Hailama V. K. K. Farden is the immediate past president of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Kamehameha Schools regional director for Kona, O'ahu, and kahu ofWai'anae Protestant Church.

A M j # Prince Jonah Kohio Kalaniana'ole - Courtesy Photo