La Ku`oko`a, which is always celebrated on November 28th, was created to recognize the Hawaiian Kingdom as an independent nation and a member of the European family of nations. “The Hawaiian Kingdom was formally recognized through treaty and had standing in the world of nations,” said Ski Kwiatkowski, one of the chiefs of the newly established The Royal Order of Kamehameha, Moku O Kohala.
On November 28, 1843, Kamehameha III sent Timoteo Ha'alilio, William Richards and Sir George Simpson as envoys to America and Europe to obtain treaties that would recognize the Hawaiian Kingdom as a nation among the world of nations. This history and more will be shared in a power point presentation by Hawaiian scholar Kalaniakea Wilson, “a member [Royal Order of Kamehameha I] who is an educator at Kamehameha Schools in Kona and wrote his master’s thesis in Hawaiian,” said Kwiatkowski.
After its inception, Hawaiian Independence Day was a large public festival with horseback riding, lū`au and traditional games until 1895 and continuously after that as an unofficial holiday. In the last decade, the public celebration of Hawaiian Independence Day has been re-established and Hawai'i Island is about to have its second commemoration. “This is the second annual but the first time we’re actually having a real organized event. We hope to attract a wider community so we can share information and help folks understand,” said Kwiatkowski.
The day will begin at 7 a.m at the King Kamehameha I statue in Kapa`au, the starting point of a circle island convoy that will travel to Pu`ukoholā Heiau, Ahu`ena Heiau, Pu`uhonua o Hōnaunau in Kona, Punalu`u in Ka`ū, Kamehameha statue in Hilo, Honoka`a and ending up at the Kahilu Town Hall in Waimea where the rest of the celebration will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. with refreshments and cultural demonstrations.
The event sponsors, The Royal Order of Kamehameha I, is a Hawaiian organization of men that came about because, “Kamehameha V saw which way things were going and he knew eventually that the old customs would be lost and he wanted a Hawaiian organization to perpetuate the customs and rituals not commonly seen by the general public,” said Kwiatkowski. According to Kwiatkowski the mission of The Royal Order of Kamehameha I is to “Educate the community at large, to protect historic sites and keep a wary eye on development to make sure things are being done according to the laws of Hawai'i.”
The Moku o Kohala was formed in March 2011 and was asked by Dan Kawaiaea, superintendent of the Pu`ukoholā Heiau, to represent Kohala at the annual Ho`oku`ikahi (To Unify as One), celebration. “He felt that there should be representation at the place where Kamehameha started the unification of the islands,” said Kwiatkowski. Moku o Kohala also provides weekly cultural demonstrations January through June at Pu`ukoholā Heiau.
Other meanings of kīpuka are an opening in the forest or a break in the clouds, opportunities to learn and see more clearly and this event is just one of the myriad kīpuka available to glean the history and spirit that make the Islands unique, irreplaceable and deserving of preservation.