Hawai’i celebrates Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea on July 31

This year marks the 180th anniversary of Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea, known as Hawaiian Sovereignty Restoration Day, that was established in 1843 by King Kamehameha III after regaining control of the Hawaiian Kingdom after the United Kingdom illegal seized it for five months.

The official Hawaiian national holiday is July 31.

Holiday events have been held throughout the island, including a Saturday celebration at Pa’auilo School on the Big Island.

Monday, attendees can visit the Puʻukoholā Heiau in Waimea to learn more about the holiday’s significance. The National Park is holding Lā Hae Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian Flag Day) from 9 a.m. to noon.

This free community event will feature an oral presentation, live music and a flag ceremony. Hawaiian flag stickers and light refreshments will be available, courtesy of Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association.

Each year, Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea also is celebrated in Thomas Square, the place where the Union Jack was lowered the the Hawaiian flag was raised in 1843 to signify that control was back in the Hawaiian Kingdom.

The celebrations were revived in 1985 by Uncle Kekuni Blaisdell and other kānaka aloha ʻāina as a way to give voice to Hawaiian independence and to issues surrounding the return and demilitarization of Hawaiian lands, according to the Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea website.

Today, the holiday signifies the continuation of the Hawaiian Kingdom through culture, language and the people.