Sept. 2, 2025
On this day, September 2, we celebrate the birthday of Her Majesty, Ka Mōʻī Liliʻuokalani. Born Lydia Liliʻu Loloku Walania Wewehi Kamakaʻeha, her life (1838–1917) was marked by courage, compassion, and an unwavering devotion to her people. Today, Queen Liliʻuokalani is remembered not only as a steadfast leader in a time of great upheaval, but also as a symbol of Hawaiian identity and aloha ʻāina. Her life story continues to inspire movements of cultural revitalization and reaffirmation of ea Hawaiʻi. Her example challenges us to engage and uplift the voices of our haumāna so that they may carry forward the legacy of resilient Hawaiian leadership.
A brilliant composer, as well, she bequeathed a legacy of mele that interweaves personal narratives with her deep love for her lāhui and pae ʻāina. Songs like Aloha ʻOe, Kuʻu Pua i Paoakalani, and He Mele Lāhui Hawaiʻi continue to inspire and connect generations of Hawaiians to their heritage. Please find lyrics, chords, and links to recordings of some of the most noted mele composed for and by Queen Liliʻuokalani below along with other resources about her life and history which can be shared with haumāna.
As educators at Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi, we take this day to reflect on the Queen’s enduring spirit of aloha ʻāina and her vision for a thriving Hawaiian people. Let us honor her by instilling in our haumāna the same resilience, pride, and love for Hawaiʻi that guided her every decision.
E Onipaʻa Kākou!