Council Approves La Kuokoa Holiday Resolution

The Hawai’i County Council voted unanimously Wednesday during its scheduled council meeting to approve a resolution that would push state lawmakers to recognize the Hawaiian Independence Day as a state holiday. The resolution was approved by a unanimous 8-0 vote, with Puna Councilman Danny Paleka absent from the session.

Resolution 285 urges the state Legislature to amend Chapter 8, Holidays, of the Hawai’i Revised Statutes to add a new chapter that would designate Nov. 28 to be known as La Kuokoa, or Independence Day.

On Sept. 25, Dennis “Fresh” Onishi, Chairperson of the Governmental Relations and Economic Development Committee, requested that the resolution be waived to the full council for action.

Now that the County Council approved the yearly holiday resolution, it will be moved on to the legislature with the urging of the council.

La Kuokoa was established in 1843 by King Kamehameha III. The day celebrates Hawai’i’s independence, which has been recognized by England and France.