Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 3, Number 9, 1 September 1986 — Ceremonies Mark Restoration Day [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Ceremonies Mark Restoration Day

An awa root ceremony, speeches and the raising of the Hawaiian flag upside down highlighted Restoration Day ceremonies July 31 at Thomas Square. Nearly 100 people gathered to mark the restoration of the Hawaiian monarchy in 1843. It was sponsored by Na Oiwi O Hawaii or Nation of Hawaii. Dr. Richard Kekuni Blaisdell, who headed the awa ceremony, is chairman.

Ten people were seated with Blaisdel! on a mat around a koa bowl filled with the juice from the awa root. Imaikalani Kalahele, a Hawaiian artist, dispensed the juice to Blaisdell in a coconut bowl. Pleading for freedom in a Hawaiian chant, Blaisdell passed the bowl to eaeh of those seated on the mat for them to drink its content.

Afterwards he called other prominent Hawaiians from the audience, including Office of Hawaiian Affairs Administrator Kamaki A. Kanahele III who first blessed the crowd with his awa juice before drinking it. The ceremony ended with everyone in the circle clapping hands and chanting "ho'oku'oko'a" (establish independence). Kalahele later explained that all Polynesia had awa present at all high ceremonies. "It is basically a cleansing ceremony so that we all have the same tastes in our mouths. This way when everyone comes together we are all elean," he said.

Homer Hayes, a Hawaiian leader since the 1950s, then explained the significance of Restoration Day. This special day for Hawaiians was first celebrated on July 31, 1843, when British Admiral Richard Thomas . returned sovereignty of the Hawaiian nation to I Kamehameha III after it had been usurped five months ' earlier in February by Lord George Paulet. In a special ceremony that day 143 years ago, King Kamehameha III appeared with his Royal Guard and

was declared to be the independent sovereign. The crowd cheered, cannons were fired and the British marines passed in review. Then the king led a parade to Kawaiaha'o Church where he is said to have uttered the words: "Ua mau ke ea o ka 'aina i ka pono." A parade of speakers followed Hayes and their topics ranged from land issues to restoring the Hawaiian nation to chastising some politicians of Hawaiian

ancestry. The significance of the upside down flag was to symbolize distress (plight of the Hawaiians in the topic matters covered).

Hawaiiana Ieader Homer Hayes, president of a security guard service bearing his name, is pictured at far right as one of the speakers during Restoration Day program July 31 at Thomas Square.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs Administrator Kamaki A. Kanahele III participates in awa root ceremony during July 31 Restoration Day ceremonies.