EA

Wai'anae Aloha 'Āina (WA'A) hosted its first event on July 31, with a celebration of Lā Ho'iho'i Ea Wai'anae held at Pōka'ī. Lā Ho'iho'i Ea commemorates the restoration of sovereignty to the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1843 to Kamehameha III, Kauikeaouli by British Admiral Richard Thomas. This act was memorialized when Kamehameha III uttered the famous words, “Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono” - “The ea (sovereignty) of our land is perpetuated through justice,” and established Thomas Square as the first public space of the kingdom. Rooted in the theme “Komohana 'Āe” (Westside Raising) various community organizations and residents came together and created a momentous commemoration. Lā Ho'iho'i Ea, not only reminded everyone of what the Hawaiian nation encountered in 1843, it also paved pathways for the lāhui (nation/ people) to reconnect to the 'āina, culture, “EA-ducation” (sovereignty education) and engage in conversation of the future of the lāhui. Blessing the day with protocol for all in attendance was the members of the Royal Order of Kamehameha I, arriving by wa'a (canoe) and greeted by the sound of the pü (conch shell) on the shoreline. It was an amazing experience for those in attendance. As the wa'a touched land continuous greetings of oli (chant) from Royal Order of Kamehameha I and nā wahine of Ka Lei 'Āina Ali'i, the procession of kahili and the lāhui gathered at the lele (altar) for the raising of our Hae Hawai'i (Hawaiian flag).  of the Hae Hawai'i ran in unison with other Lā Ho'iho'i Ea events across the pae 'āina (islands). Paul Kalani “Boboy” Kaawa-Flores Jr. narrated for us the events that unfolded in 1843 and painted a vivid accounting of emotions that Kamehameha III had endured. Accepting the kuleana for the group in raising our Hae Hawai'i were Lynette Cruz, Lena Spain-Suzuki and Niklauz Kūka'ilimoku Guzman-Simpliciano.