Hawaiian Kingdom’s National Holidays Toward the End of the Year
Kau Makahiki is a traditional Hawaiian festival called Makahiki. This celebration lasted for four months and included great feasts and games. During this time, wars and conflicts were strictly forbidden. The harvest was completed and it was a time for rest and recreation. It also gave the land time to rest as well. As far as the early Hawaiians were concerned, the Makahiki was their time for "peace on earth and goodwill toward men". It was the season of Lonoikamakahiki and tributes given to the Ali'i Nui. A wa'a was laden with produce and set out to sea as an offering to Lono.
La Ku'oko'a marks the day, November 28, 1843, that the Ali'i Timoteo Ha'alilio, sent as part of an envoy by King Kamehameha III, succeeded in obtaining the signatures of the authorities of Great Britain and France on a treaty recognizing Hawai'i as a sovereign nation. Ha'alilio, with the missionary William Richards along as his secretary, traveled through Mexico on foot and donkey to Washington D.C., where they met President John Tyler.
Ha'alilio and Richards, armed with his agreement, then went on to Europe: to Belgium, Paris, and London, where the compact was finally signed. They returned to the United States to cement U.S. agreement. On the journey home Ke Ali'i Timoteo Ha'alilio died, on December 3, 1844.
In 1856, Alexander Liholiho (King Kamehameha IV) declared December 25 to be his kingdom's National Day of Thanksgiving. Two years later, Santa Claus made his first appearance in Hawaii, arriving at Washington Place (now the governor's residence) to deliver gifts for the children.
The first Christmas celebration in Hawaii is believed to have occurred in 1786, when Captain George Dixon, docked aboard the Queen Charlotte in Waimea Bay on Kauai, commanded his crew to prepare a Christmas dinner that included roasted pig, pie and grog mixed with coconut milk. The English navigator then led his men in toasts to their families and friends back home.
Hawaiian National Memorial Observation, following in the path of Hawaiian ancestors who marked the 30th day of December as the Hawaiian Memorial day. When Nahi'ena'ena passed away, King Kamehameha III grieved for his sister and proclaimed it a national holiday. It's an opportunity to give members of the public an occasion who may wish to remember and memorialize Hawaiian national leaders and loved ones who have passed away.
Tane
La Ku'oko'a marks the day, November 28, 1843, that the Ali'i Timoteo Ha'alilio, sent as part of an envoy by King Kamehameha III, succeeded in obtaining the signatures of the authorities of Great Britain and France on a treaty recognizing Hawai'i as a sovereign nation. Ha'alilio, with the missionary William Richards along as his secretary, traveled through Mexico on foot and donkey to Washington D.C., where they met President John Tyler.
Ha'alilio and Richards, armed with his agreement, then went on to Europe: to Belgium, Paris, and London, where the compact was finally signed. They returned to the United States to cement U.S. agreement. On the journey home Ke Ali'i Timoteo Ha'alilio died, on December 3, 1844.
In 1856, Alexander Liholiho (King Kamehameha IV) declared December 25 to be his kingdom's National Day of Thanksgiving. Two years later, Santa Claus made his first appearance in Hawaii, arriving at Washington Place (now the governor's residence) to deliver gifts for the children.
The first Christmas celebration in Hawaii is believed to have occurred in 1786, when Captain George Dixon, docked aboard the Queen Charlotte in Waimea Bay on Kauai, commanded his crew to prepare a Christmas dinner that included roasted pig, pie and grog mixed with coconut milk. The English navigator then led his men in toasts to their families and friends back home.
Hawaiian National Memorial Observation, following in the path of Hawaiian ancestors who marked the 30th day of December as the Hawaiian Memorial day. When Nahi'ena'ena passed away, King Kamehameha III grieved for his sister and proclaimed it a national holiday. It's an opportunity to give members of the public an occasion who may wish to remember and memorialize Hawaiian national leaders and loved ones who have passed away.
Tane
Replies
mahalo
It is my guess Richards Street along side the Palace is named after William Richards? As I have said in the past that the Hawaiian Kingdom was far more advanced then the United States in many ways. That the Hawaiian Kingdom declared Dec. 25 and National Holiday of the Kingdom. Where as the United States did not declare Dec. 25 a National Holidays of the United States till the 1920s. Simply because Christmas is an English Holiday.
I'm in all support of Hawaiian Nationals and our Ohana support the National Holidays of the Hawaiian Kingdom.
Which have been shared among us for many years. Hopefully this will be begin in 2011.
Long Live The Hawaiian Kingdom, o Pomai
Richards Street was indeed named after William Richards (1793-1847) this event occurred in the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1850. There are some details about La Ku'oko'a Day with an accompanying photograph on the DMZ Hawai'i site which can be found by clicking here:
http://www.dmzhawaii.org/?p=4846
-Aloha.
Once I learned of this (many years past), I didn't celebrate the haole holiday but celebrated the Makahiki season and our Hawaiian Kingdom National Holidays; especially, our national holiday of our Independence.
Hau'oli La Ku'oko'a!!!!!!!!!!
Tane