Lā Kū‘oko‘a (Independence Day) is a Hawaiian national holiday
that marks the date in 1843 when the sovereignty of the Kingdom of
Hawai‘i was formally recognized by England and France through the
signing of the Anglo-Franco Proclamation, and through a verbal
acknowledgement with the United States as a result of the efforts of
emissaries Timoteo Ha‘alilio, William Richards, and George Simpson. In
this Kūkahekahe, we explore one way to enhance our celebration of this
auspicious day!
Celebrating the national
holidays of the Hawaiian Kingdom is one way to remember Hawaiian history
and affirm pride in a lāhui Hawai‘i identity. Lā Ho‘iho‘i Ea
(Restoration Day) on July 31 and Lā Kū‘oko‘a (Independence Day) on
November 28 are two holidays which have inspired growing celebrations
across the pae‘āina and around the world.
In a recent interview, 2022 Lā Ho‘iho‘i Ea honoree and community organizer Hinaleimoana Wong KSK ’90
shared that one way she would love for our Kamehameha ‘ohana to
celebrate our national holidays is to learn and sing “E Ola Ke Ali‘i Ke
Akua” and “He Mele Lāhui Hawai‘i.” In addition to Hawai‘i Pono‘ī, these
two mele were national anthems of the Hawaiian Kingdom.
The
British Anthem “God Save the King/Queen” served as an informal national
anthem for the Kingdom of Hawai‘i for many years. However, in 1860 King
Kamehameha IV, Alexander Liholiho, believed that the kingdom’s anthem
should be in Hawaiian. He sponsored a contest seeking the best version
of the anthem in ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i. Prince William Charles Lunalilo entered
the contest. At just 25 years old, he was already considered a gifted
poet and had been educated at the Royal School. He is said to have
written his entry to the contest, “E Ola Ke Ali‘i Ke Akua” in only
twenty minutes. Lunalilo’s mele was selected as the winner, and “E Ola
Ke Ali‘i Ke Akua” became the national anthem for the Kingdom of Hawai‘i.
In
1866, Kamehameha V, Lot Kapuāiwa, sought a new national anthem for the
Kingdom. Although “E Ola Ke Ali‘i Ke Akua” was popular, the king
believed that the love Hawaiians had for their country could be
expressed without using the British anthem. He made a request for a new
anthem to Princess Lili‘uokalani, a gifted musician. She wrote “He Mele
Lāhui Hawai‘i,” which was the kingdom’s national anthem until 1876, when
King Kalākaua co-composed “Hawai‘i Pono‘ī” to be the national anthem of
the Kingdom of Hawai‘i.
E ka ‘ohana Kamehameha, below are the lyrics to both of the former national anthems of the Hawaiian Kingdom.
E Ola Ke Ali‘i Ke Akua
Na Lunalilo Ke Akua Mana Mau
Ho‘omaika‘i, pōmaika‘i
I ka mō‘ī
Kou lima mana mau
Mālama kia‘i mai
Ko mākou nei mō‘ī
E ola ē. Ka inoa kamaha‘o
Lei nani o mākou
E ola ē Kou ‘ēheu‘eheu uhi mai
Pale nā ‘ino ē
Kā mākou pule nō
E ola ē. I mua ou mākou
Ke ali‘i o nā Ali‘i
E aloha mai
E mau ke ea ē
‘O ke aupuni nei
E ola mau mākou
Me ka mō‘ī. | God Save the King
Lunalilo Eternal, mighty God
Bless us from your bright abode
Our sovereign king.
May your all powerful arm
Ward from our sire all harm
Let no vile foe alarm
Long may he reign. Royal distinguished name
Our beauteous diadem
Long life be yours
Thy wing spread over our land
From every foe defend
To you our prayers ascend
Long live our king. Before Thee
King of Kings
Of Whom all nature sings
Our prayer we bring
Oh let our kingdom live
Life, peace and union give
Let all Thy care receive
Bless Thou our king. |
He Mele Lāhui Hawai‘i
Na Lili‘u Ka Makua Mana loa,
Maliu mai iā mākou,
E hāliu aku nei,
Me ka na‘au ha‘aha‘a;
E mau ka maluhia,
O nei pae ‘āina,
Mai Hawai‘i a Ni‘ihau,
Ma lalo o kou malu. Ho‘ōho:
E mau ke Ea o ka ‘Āina,
Ma kou pono mau,
A ma kou mana nui,
E ola, e ola ka Mō‘ī. E ka Haku mālama mai,
I ko mākou nei Mō‘ī,
E mau kona noho ‘ana,
Maluna o ka Noho Ali‘i,
Hā‘awi mai i ke aloha,
Maloko o Kona na‘au;
A ma kou ahonui,
E ola, e ola ka Mō‘ī. Ma lalo o kou aloha nui,
Na Li‘i o ke Aupuni,
Me nā Maka‘āinana,
Ka lehulehu nō a pau
Kia‘i mai iā lākou
Me ke aloha ahonui;
E ola nō mākou,
I kou mana mau. | Hawaiian national Anthem
Lili‘u Almighty Father bend thine ear
And listen to a nation’s prayer
That lowly bows before thy throne
And seeks thy fostering care
Grant your peace throughout the land
Over these sunny sea girt isles
Keep the nation’s life, oh Lord,
And on our sovereign smile Chorus:
Grant your peace throughout the land
Over these sunny isles
Keep the nation’s life, oh Lord
And on our sovereign smile. Guard him with your tender care
Give him length of years to reign
On the throne his fathers won
Bless the nation once again
Give the king your loving grace
And with wisdom from on high
Prosperous lead his people on
As beneath your watchful eye
Grant your peace throughout the land Bless O Lord our country’s chiefs
Grant them wisdom so to live
That our people may be saved
And to You the glory give
Watch over us day by day
King and people with your love
For our hope is all in You
Bless us, You who reign aboveGrant your peace throughout the land
|
Five ways to celebrate Lā Kūʻokoʻa every day
Courtesy of Kanaeokana
1. Learn more about our ‘āina, ‘ōlelo, culture and history.
2. Mālama ‘āina and ho‘oulu ‘āina. Care for and grow food on the land.
3. Engage in issues that will invigorate Hawai‘i and its people.
4. Support local artisans, craftspeople and your favorite ‘ōiwi-owned businesses.
5. Volunteer to help out in the community. Share what you have and nurture your kaiāulu.
Learn about Hawaiian ‘āina, ‘ōlelo, and culture and history by visiting websites like kanaeokana.net. Kanaeokana includes more than 80 Hawaiian language, culture, and ʻāina-based organizations and schools (including Kamehameha Schools), collaborating to develop and strengthen the lāhui by building a Native Hawaiian education system built on a strong ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i and ‘ike Hawai‘i foundation.
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