The year 2018 is underway – a year that many have noted to have many historic commemorations for Native Hawaiians and all of Hawai‘i.
In recognition of the many commemorative events that lay ahead in 2018, the OHA Board of Trustees passed a resolution recognizing 2018 as “Year of the Hawaiian.” This resolution recognizes, in part, several significant anniversaries in our history: the 240th anniversary of the arrival of Captain James Cook, the 125th anniversary of the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawai‘i, the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Hawaiian Civic Club of Honolulu, the 40th anniversary of the 1978 Constitutional Convention, and the 25th anniversary of the signing of Public Law 103-150, also known as the Apology Resolution. Some of these events hold a solemn role in our history. Others are celebrated. All are pivotal and have had longstanding impacts on our people.
Last month, various community groups and individuals from across the pae ‘āina held an observance of the 125th anniversary of the overthrow of Queen Lili‘uokalani and the Kingdom of Hawai‘i. This day-long event, attended by thousands, was a somber reminder of the continued injustices our lāhui faces day-to-day in our own homeland. The day’s events included protocol at Mauna ‘Ala, a peace march to ‘Iolani Palace, the raising of the Hawaiian flag above ‘Iolani Palace, and a rally on Palace grounds including community mele, ‘oli and hula. Coincidentally, this commemoration fell on the same day as the constitutionally-mandated Opening Day of the Hawai‘i State Legislature, with some of the legislators on-hand and others directly participating. It was an important and symbolic representation for lawmakers to see the civic engagement of Native Hawaiians.
I am hopeful that in the spirit of our beloved Queen Lili‘uokalani, we will make our voices heard, and that this Year of the Hawaiian will not be remembered just as a commemoration of past events, but instead be remembered for ways that our lāhui achieved banner accomplishments in our advocacy at all levels of government.
In a column last year, I included a quote from Queen Lili‘uokalani – “Never cease to act because you fear you may fail.” These are words we should carry with us always, especially in this year that we remember the illegal overthrow of our Queen.
As I addressed the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs convention last fall, I ended my remarks by having the entire body rise-up and sing together hand-in-hand:
Hawai‘i Loa, kū like kākou,
Kū pa‘a me ka lōkahi e,
Kū kala me ka wiwo‘ole
‘Onipa‘a kākou, ‘onipa‘a kākou,
A lanakila, nā kini e,
E ola, e ola, e ola nā kini e
To accomplish success in our advocacy, we need a kākou effort.
‘Onipa‘a kākou, ‘onipa‘a kākou,
A lanakila, nā kini e,
E ola, e ola, e ola nā kini e
