Ke Alahou, Volume I, Number 6, 1 May 1980 — KAMEHAMEHA DAY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

KAMEHAMEHA DAY

Arise, oh families of the I! Arise, oh famiJies of the Mahi! Arise, oh families of thē Palena! Arise } oh people of the Jand! Arise Everyone/ Arise, oh children of the future! This is the eall to the clans togathertopaytribute to the Mo'i, King Kamehameha, the conqueror.

With awe and humbleness the leis of plumeria and marigold were draped on the statue of Kamehameha to show the State of Hawai'i's honor to the legacy of Kamehameha. Part of his legacy was his quest to end the history of chiefly wars and to unify the clans together as one people. Throughout his lifetime, Kamehameha truly believed in the faith and ways of his ancestors. He hoped that by restoring the traditions his people would be protected and have some standards to hold on to. The Iei la'i. held along with his spear, represents this idea. The other leis tell of his master plan of vision to end the bitter conflicts and rivalry of chiefs and clans, and to plaee them under the peaee and protection of his rule. The Lei lehua, was the firs\ of these leis to be placed around his neek, represents the island of Hawai'i. This was the island of his birth. Steeped inthe stories of the politics and history of his birthplace, Kamehameha began his conquest there. The lei lokelani is the lt»i flower of the island of Maui, the second largest island and most powerful chiefdom to*rival the clans of Hawaii. Under the rule of the Maui chiefs were the islands of Kahoolawe (represented by the lei hinahina), Lanai (represeirted

by the iei kaunaoa), and even parts of Oahu. ' It was said that after the battle of Kepaniwai on Maui, rested on the isjand of Molokai where no resistance was met. After regrouping on Ae 1 of Ho'olehua, Kamehameha sailed oji to Oahu. Inthespring or summer®f 1795, thebattle of Nuuanii was fought. It was said to be the decisive victory for the warriors of Kamehameha. The iei kukui of Molokai and the lei ilima of the sands of Oahu represent these islands to joia under Kamehameha's rule, In the year 1810, under the persuasion of foreigners ( fear of isolation, and political cunning and offers, the High Chief Kaumualii placed the i§lands. of. Kauai and Niihau under the of Kamehameha. This was the final formation of the Kingdom of Hawaii. The lei mokihana and maile represent the island of Kauai while the jei. pujp u jeprf,Sf nts the island of Niihau. In honor of the women of Hawaii, a lei for Kaahumanu was draped next to Kamehameha's heart. Having been born in a cave near Hana, Maui she would later continue the legacy of Kamehameha and guide"hēr people into the rapidly changing times. So, what is his4egacy for us today? The whispers still ean be heard:' Where is the next Kamehameha to

lead his people? Are you the one?" How vain we„ and look to the past hoping to rekindle our ancestors* glory in ourselves. That is not the legacy of Kamehameha. He knew his people and theirheritage, He recognized that they were now a part of a greater world. He also realized that while pursuing one'sown 'goals he could not forget his own people. We all possess the same pote«tial to be like Kamehameha: to learn, to know and understand the past and hope not to make the same mistakes; to be able to think and reason; and to be envisonary. His legacy is our challenge to understand the past, to learn from it; to have a sense of *fhe future and to take pride in ourse!ves ās well as to recognize that we are not alone in this world. How true it makes the words he said to his warriors in the heat of battle, caught between the hurling spears from the cliffs of Kepaniwai. Near defeat, he rallied his warriors to victory saying: Forward! Forward my younger ones! Until we taste the blood, sweat and tears of struggle and victory; for there, is no turning back!

Na wahine hanohan») ō Hawaii nei pa'u riders

Cal»fornia Hawaiian's f!oal; "Miss Hawaii of CaUfornia

Emalani

Grand Marshals: Rubellite K. Johnson and Kathleen Perr.v.