January 17 has a special meaning in Hawai`i well beyond today's celebration of Martin Luther King Day: It's the 118th anniversary of the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy by a "provisional government," led by businessmen descended from American missionaries and supported by the presence of US Marines.
Whether or not independence-minded groups camp out on the grounds of `Iolani Palace in Honolulu today, as they have before, the late 19th century power grab will be on the minds of many.
As with any nation, the Native Hawaiian people do not speak with one voice politically, so "independence" (and "sovereignty," for that matter) mean different things to different people.
But, from my humble perspective, Native Hawaiians do come exceptionally close to unity in revering their royal dynasties. And it's good for visitors to remember 118 years is a few blinks ago in the chronology of Hawaiian cultural consciousness.
With that in mind, I'd like to acknowledge the past while taking inspiration from the present. On the gates of `Iolani Palace today are painted bronze plaques bearing the royal coat of arms, which were said to have been removed by the new regime in 1893, and like most of the palace furnishings, were sold at public auction.
But 90 years later, they were found, extensively restored and replaced on the four gates, each of which bears the name of a member of Hawaiian royalty.
The gate used for ceremonial occasions is called Kauikeaouli, after the man who became King Kamehameha III. It was he who. after the British government rejected a takeover of Hawai`i by one of its naval officers, coined the motto on the plaques: Ua mau ke ea o ka`āina i ka pono (as it's written today) -- "the life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness."
I wonder, what would Dr. King say is the pono, or righteous, response to today's sovereignty movement(s)? I honestly don't know, but I'm glad this palace and these plaques are there to prompt us to think about it.
Comments
Like the Sacred Sea, Hawaiian Nationals will continue on their Mission to "FREE HAWAII".
The "Torch" of December 6, 2010 when Hawaiian Nationals' Gathered at Front Gates of Iolani Palace shines, Pono!
Long Live The Hawaiian Kingdom, Pomaikaiokalani, Hawaiian Nationals Royalist 1993
At Last We Shall "FREE HAWAII", o Pomaikaiokalani
Long Live The Hawaiian Kingdom, o Pomaiokalani, Hawaiian National Royalist 1993
ALOHA Kakou, e Hawaii,
As a Hawaiian National Royalist I was honored to be invited to March in the MLK Parade. As a Hawaiian National, Queen Liliuokalani is my Nation's Civil Rights Leader. This is why I explained to the Committee of Hawaiian Nationals that it was important for us to March in this year's MLK Parade.
March in this year's MLK Parade as Hawaiian Nationals, not as Prisioners of War of the USA!
This is why it was so important for us to March in front of the USA Military Color Guards as Hawaiian Nationals! Wanting to be a FREE PEOPLE in our own nation, the Hawaiian Kingdom.
IMUA HAWAIIAN NATIONALS, FREE HAWAII, IMUA KEKAPUKAINOHEA
Long Live The Hawaiian Kingdom, o Pomaikaiokalani, Hawaiian Nationals Royalist 1993
ALOHA Kakou, e Hawaii,
After 118 years, Hawaiian Nationals Marched with the MLK Parade on Jan. 17, 2011 with our Mission to FREE HAWAII. We, the Hawaiian Nationals of the Hawaiian Kingdom nation of Queen Liliuokalani want to be FREE. FREE AT AT LAST!
Long Live The Hawaiian Kingdom, o Pomaikaiokalani, Hawaiian Naitonal Royalist 1993
Tupua Tamasese Lealofi III
We Royalists see a lot more hope in Mahatma Gandhi than in Martin Luther King, Jr. Both men gave their lives for Justice. One for national "Powers"; the other for civil "Rights".
Civil rights and human rights are of little interest to Hawaiians. Royalists focus on the Justice of a King in 'Iolani Palace with National Powers. Mahatma Gandhi saw the British Empire gone, replaced by Indian National Power. This is the Justice that is the major concern in Hawai'i.
Royalists are fortified in having a two- term President of the United States of America as a spokesperson for the Justice of the national "Powers" of a Monarch in 'Iolani Palace. Who do you Reform- ists have as your spokesman ??
Reform- ists, what argument do you have against Grover Cleveland to take the Hawaiians in a better direction ?? Who do you have to articulate your argument that Hawaiians had better abandon the Royalist position, kiss the Kingdom goodbye ??
Mahatma Gandhi appealed to Justice and won. The Justice of Power. Mahatma Gandhi avoided violence like Our Queen.
The Justice of the future is NOT violent and bloody. Nuclear weapons are Not about Justice. Big navies are Not about Justice.
The Samoans regained their National Power WITHOUT violence. Against all odds, Justice is making headway ! The Hawaiian movement is NOT about "civil rights" !! Hawaiians have no need whatsoever for American civil "rights", according to President of the United States of America, Grover Cleveland (December 18, 1893).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mau_movement
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tupua_Tamasese_Lealofi_III
The Royalists are putting their money on Tupua Tamasese Lealofi III and Mahatma Gandhi.