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Check Out Final Issue of Vol. 57 and This Years 1st Semester Issue!
Written By: Anthony Perez
Written On: December 1, 2023
Published On: December 1, 2023
Recently on April 19, 2023, a bill (S.B No. 731) recognizing Lā Kūʻokoʻa (Hawaiian Independence Day) was officially signed into law. While not a state holiday, its recognition was significant for Hawaiian sovereignty movements and for preserving Hawaiian history as a whole. This means that this year's Hawaiian Independence Day will be the first officially recognized commemoration of the date in the States history. On December 1st, Damien Memorial School will celebrate Lā Kūʻokoʻa formally recognized on November 28th by wearing red tops. Lā Kūʻokoʻa was a holiday during the existence of the Hawaiian Kingdom and even after its overthrow under the Republic and Territorial phases of Hawaiian history. Now under the State of Hawai'i, it’s a remembrance day which celebrates the Hawaiian Kingdom’s international recognition as an independent and sovereign country by Great Britain, France, and the United States. From the introduction of Europeans to the Hawaiian people, let's look into one of the stories of Hawaiian History.
Statue of Kamehameha the Great (Waikiki Trolley)
The Islands United
The Islands United
The Hawaiian Kingdom which fully united the Hawaiian archipelago under the control of King Kamehameha the Great (I) in 1810 had created a nation which was both governed with western ideals while maintaining the Hawaiian culture within government. The Kingdom itself had continued to maintain a close relationship with the United Kingdom who had established relations with Kamehameha before the unification of the islands. This connection had influenced the Kingdoms system of government and pressured the monarchy to further westernize to both “civilize” themselves and to gain recognition.
There had been multiple diplomatic incidents which threatened the Kingdom's sovereignty in its history, notably in 1839 where Captain Laplace of the French Kingdom had threatened the Hawaiians for prohibiting the Catholic faith as there was an underlying sectarian conflict between the Catholic worshippers and Protestant dominated government. This combined with the Paulet Affair had brought a need for the Kauikeaouli to seek formal recognition of his Kingdom through treaties and declarations.
In 1840, the British ambassador to the Hawaiian Kingdom (Richard Charlton) had falsely claimed ownership of a piece of land. The conflicting systems of land between the Ahupua’a system combined with the Hawaiians personal relationship to the land conflicted with the Europeans concept which commercialized land which could be sold and owned. But Charltons false land claim continued on which would finally result in a full diplomatic incident and the occupation of the kingdom.
The Kingdoms Invaded
The Kingdoms Invaded
In February 1843, Captain Lord George Paulet arrived in Hawai’i to look into Charlton’s conflict with the Kingdom. King Kauikeaouli (Kamehameha III) had sent emissaries to obtain formal recognition of the Kingdom by European powers, but this was not enough to dissuade Paulets intentions. Paulet decided to occupy the Kingdom and seize the islands for the British Empire. Even as this was not allowed under his authority, Paulet had used his forces to force compliance from Kauikeaouli and so the Kingdom would be put under his control for 5 months until the affair could be resolved.
Restoration...
Restoration...
As Great Britain investigated the situation, they sent Admiral Thomas to investigate the situation. Once he had arrived on July 26, 1843, Thomas reassured Kauikeaouli of Hawaiian sovereignty and that Paulet was acting beyond his authority.
On July 31 of that year the Hawaiian flag was flown once again at a location now known as Thomas Square (named after Admiral Thomas). Thomas Square has actually been designed to have its walkways resemble the English Jack. After the restoring of Kauikeaouli’s authority where he would tell his people at the nearby Kawaiaha’o Church:
“Ua mau ke ea o ka ‘āina i ka pono”
“The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.”
- Kauikeaouli
*English translation has been debated
Recognition...
Recognition...
The works of Timoteo Ha’alilo (Kauikeaouli’s personal secretary) and William Richards (government advisor) for the King's mission were crucial in establishing the official recognition of the Hawaiian Kingdom in the eyes of the European powers. On November 28, 1843, Timoteo Ha’alilo with William Richards witnessed the official signing of a treaty between the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of France which recognized the Hawaiian Kingdom as an independent state. This now marked the beginning of Hawaii’s growing recognition by many other European Nations and the United States in the following years.
Remembrance
Remembrance
Sadly tragedy struck when Ha’alilo died on December, 3, 1844 while on voyage (due to tuberculosis,) and when they had finally landed in Hawaii on March 21 1845, the people mourned and remembered the life of a man who had done his duty for his Kingdom and the people.
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