Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 5, Number 2, 1 February 1988 — Hawaiians Mark 94th Anniversary of Queen's Overthrow [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hawaiians Mark 94th Anniversary of Queen's Overthrow

Keale: Lili'uokalani Called Out to Her People to Ho'olokahi— to be One in Support of Her

By Deborah Lee Ward, Assistant Editor Ka Wai Ola O OHA A gentle rain that soon gave way to hot sunshine didn't deter a loyal crowd of about 150 persons who turned out Saturday, Jan. 16, at the 'Iolani Palaee grounds for a commemorative ho'okupu (gift) ceremony in honor of Queen Lili'uokalani. The event, titled "'Onipa'a: Reflections of Queen Lili'uokalani," was presented by the Council of Hawaiian Organizations to mark the 94th anniversary of the Jan. 16, 1893, overthrow of the Queen, last reigning monarch of Hawaii. Mixed in with remarks from representatives of Hawaiian organizations and other dignitaries was a musical tribute including compositions of the Queen and other royal composers, as performed by the Royal Hawaiian Band, program mistress of ceremonies Nalani 01ds Reinhardt, the Kamehameha Schools Concert Glee Club, Kaimana and Olomana. The sound of the pu (eoneh shell) blown by Richard Bell began the afternoon's program. A name chant for Lili'uokalani was offered by Charles Manu Boyd, then a portrait of the Queen by artist Marilyn Kahalewai was placed at stagefront before the audience and draped with the lei maile. After a nostalgic singing of Hawai'i Ponoi, the pule was given by Rev. William Kaina of Kawaiahao Church. Event chairman Mel Kalahiki welcomed the assemb!ed throng of kupuna and keiki alike. Next, Rev. Edward Kealanahele of Kealiiokamalu Church in Haleiwa invited the audience to eome forth and pay tribute to the Queen with their ho'okupu and mana'o. A ti bundle was presented by Fred Cachola Jr., director of continuing education, on behalf of Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate. Members of the Kaawafamily, led by Leroy Kaawa, presented a lei 'opihi and a light gray pohaku. Kaawa made a statement to the audience about the ohana's efforts to seek restitution of sovereignty to Hawaii. Representing the Honorable Governor John David Waihee III was Winona E. Rubin, Director of the State Department of Human of Services. In prepared remarks, she said "... Today let us eall again for Hawaiians and Hawaiians-at-heart to cleanse ourselves of any bitterness over past injustices; to focus our collective expertise on bringing healing and closure to this painful part of our history; to recommit ourselves — our ho'okupu — toward realistic, intelligent, courageous andcaring solutions for the needs of the people of Hawai'i; and to redirect our energies and regenerate our mana toward preparing future generations for leadership roles in a dynamic Pacific community." The Royal Hawaiian Band, led by assistant director Ronald Baltazar, then played favorite songs and instrumentals written by the Queen and other roya! composers, including the Queen's Prayer (sung by Nalani 01ds Reinhardt), a medley of marches by King Kalakaua, Kohala March, O Makalapua, Paoakalani, Alekoki. The program concluded with modern favorites "I'll Remember You" and the Alu Like March. Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees Chairman Moses K. Keale Sr., told the gathering, "... Queen Lili'uokalani called out to her people

to ho'olokahi — to be one in support of her, to be responsible citizens, to respect the due process of the law — even if it frustrated her own ambitions. Perhaps it will be this generation, this moment, when we ean finally conclude the path the Queen had so chosen . . . Remember her words of hope and strength, perhaps even saying them out loud in the coming days and months: "O kou aloha no aia i ka lani, a 'o kou 'oia'i'o, he hemolele ho'i. Ko'u noho mihi 'ana a pa'ahoa 'ia. 'O 'oe ku'u lama, kou nanai ko'u ko'o. Mai nana 'ino'ino na hewa o kanaka, aka, e huikiala, a ma'ema'e no. Nolaila, e ka haku, malalo kou 'eheu ko makou maluhia a mau loa aku no. 'Amene. "Your love is in heaven and your truth so perfect. I live in sorrow imprisoned. You are my light, your glory my support. Behold not with malevolence the wrongs of men, but forgive and cleanse. And so, oh Lord, beneath your wings be our peaee forever more. "Queen Lili'uokalani wrote this prayer while imprisoned in that room after the unsuccessful attempt to restore her to the throne. Certainly she had every right to be embittered and defiant at that time, but her words do not indicate so. Neither do her actions. From the moment that she tried to reinstate her authority as Queen, her decision was to hold firm, " 'Onipa'a," to the truth — a bastion of integrity in the face of opportunism. Her decision was to upho!d the law, however reluctant in the face of her own desires and ambition. Her decision is our legacy too! We live in her decision as we uphold the due process of law, uphold the truth, and we heeome responsible for our actions. "We are ambitious, also for our people. We want to better their conditions, and in doing so we have petitioned the government of the United States. We have faced setbacks and frustration, but we hold fast to the pnneiple that justice and truth will prevail. "We must invest time, patience and labor to ensure that integrity exists among us, that together we are responsible for our future, and that with proper thought and purpose we, like our Queen, ean do good for our people."

Senator Daniel K. Inouye was represented by staff member Col. David Peters who read a letter from Hawaii's Congressional leader whieh provided a brief status report on a subject of importance to the Hawaiian community — reparationsto native Hawaiians for losses incurred by the overthrow of Queen Lili'uokalani. Inouye said, "As I am certain you are aware, the findings of the Native Hawaiian Study Commission, whieh was appointed by President Reagan and whieh issued its majority and minority reports in 1983, did not support reparations for the Hawaiian people. It is my belief that un!ess another Commission is appointed and different findings are made, it will be impossible for a reparations measure to be approved by Congress and signed into law by the President. "Under these circumstances, I beiieve that the best course of action is to wait for a new Administration that will appoint a Commission to •See Keale, page 3

Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees Chairman Moses K. Keale Sr., addresses the crowd at the Queen Lili'uokalani commemorative ho'okupu ceremony at 'lolani Palaee.

The Rev. Edward Kealanahele in black suit aecepts ho'okupu from Leroy Kaawa as Fred Cachola Jr. directly behind the kahu and others look on.

•Keale, from page 1 conduct the high-quality, scholarly study that this episode in our history deserves, rather than rely on findings whieh may have been influenced by politieal philosophy. In the meantime, I have encouraged the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to continue its efforts to determine the contents of a feasible and appropriate reparations package so that it ean be ready to move forward with its recommendations when new findings are issued. It is not my intentto convey discouraging news; rather I am attempting to provide a candidate assessment of the current outlook for reparations legislation. "On other pending legislation affecting native Hawaiians there is good news. For examp!e, the 1988 fisca! year Appropriations Act includes $1 million to begin the establishment of Maternal and Child Health Care Centers to assist mothers and infants of native Hawaiian ancestry. This is the beginning of what is planned as a network of Centers throughout Hawaii to provide maternal and infant services. "In addition, there is an appropriation of $500,000 for hearing tests and treatment of Hawaiian children. Recent tests of four-year-olds at Kamehameha Schools revealed that more than half suffer hearing loss serious enough to interfere with learning. "Furthermore, the Congress is actively eonsidering other major legislation, such asthe Native Hawaiian Health Improvement Act and the Native Hawaiian Education Bill. I look forward to continuing to work with leaders of the Hawaiian eommunity in forwarding legislation to help serve the needs of the native Hawaiian people."