Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 27, Number 8, 1 August 2010 — Lunalilo addresses 1865 Restoration Day crowd [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Lunalilo addresses 1865 Restoration Day crowd

By Kau'i Sai-Dudoit I uly 31, is Lā Ho'iho'i Ea or I Hawaiian Restoration Day, I a Hawaiian nahonal holiday I celebrated eaeh year. In

the April issue of Ka Wai Ola, we ran a story regarding the nation's motto titled, "Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono," in whieh we explained the events that led up to this proclamation by His Majesty Kauikeaouli, Kamehameha III. Every year the Hawaiian Kingdom would commemorate this important occasion with animated speeches aeeompanied by celebrations of

grandeur. Eaeh island engaged in a healthy rivalry to best the others with their festivities, whieh was recorded in the Hawaiian language newspapers. These articles provided a perspective to another time, a deeper mind-set of independence and the importance of nationalism. We have selected a speech delivered by the High Chief William Charles Lunalilo, renowned for his eloquence as an orator. Lunalilo provides a unique

viewpoint as a witness to the original events ofJuly 31, 1843, but of equal importance he benefited from the perspective of

his mother, Miriam Kekāuluohi, who at the time was the Premier of the Hawaiian Kingdom. In his speech, he recounts the importance

of remembering those five months of turmoil when the British flag flew over the Hawaiian Islands. He reminds those in attendance of the debt of gratitude and honor owed to

the memory of His Majesty Kamehameha III. He insists that it is our duty to pass this knowledge on to the future generations lest we forget. ■

Ho'olaupa'i: Hawaiian Language Newspaper Project i.s a collaborative partnership among the Bi.shop Museum, Awaiaulu ine., Alu Li.ke ine. and Hale Kuamo'o to uti.li.ze modern technology to preserve and provide access to the voluminous wri.ti.ngs i.n the Hawaiian language newspapers

ager of Ho 'olaupa 'i. si.nce 2002.

j KEAUIHALA ^ FROMTHEARCHIVES /

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King Kamehameha III surrendered the Kingdom to Britain in February 1 843 to avoid hostilities, but gave his people hope that "the sovereignty of the land will yet be restored, if my actions are just."

"orfree access at nupepa.org. Kau'i. Sai.-Dudoi.t has k been the Project Man-

r Decades later, High * Chief William Charles Lunalilo urged everyone to remember the events of 1 843, lest they be repeated. - Photos: Courtesy of ihe Bishop Museum Library & Archives