Ku I Ka Pono draws thousands to march for Hawaiian rights

Thousands of Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians alike turned out to support Hawaiian programs and entitlements in September 7’s Ku I ka Pono march through Waikiki. News sources reported a participant count of approximately 5,000 to 10,000.

Kalakaua Avenue literally turned into a sea of red as marchers took to the street wearing red to symbolize Hawaiian blood. The peaceful march began at Saratoga Road and ended at Kapi’olani Park, where the Office of Hawaiian Affairs’ Family Day was to be held.

Kamehameha Schools was just one of the many organizations who participated in the march in a show of Hawaiian unity.

Hawaiian leaders, including Kamehameha Schools’ Trustees Nainoa Thompson and Connie Lau (above) and Ilio’ulaokalani Coalition President Vicky Holt Takamine (below), delivered inspirational messages to the crowd prior to the start of the march.

Kamehameha Schools presented a ho’okupu at the site of the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, which is owned by KS. Participants sang a song in honor of the princess and danced a hula. Sixth graders from the Kapalama Campus presented an ‘ilima and maile lei, which was draped around a portrait of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop.

A ho’okupu is presented at the Queen Lili’uokalani Trust property site along the march route.

Kamehameha Schools Trustees (from left): Nainoa Thompson, Dianne Plotts, J. Douglas Ing, Connie Lau and Robert Kihune.

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