EA

LĀ HO'I HO'I EA 2021

Lā Ho'i Ho'i Ea Wai'anae

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.

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Lā Ho’iho’i Ea Kaua Kio Education

On July 31, at the event of Lā Ho'iho'i Ea, Pōkiʻi Magallanes, Limakuhi of the Queen Liliʻuokalani Royal Gaurds of Mauna Ala shared insight to a traditional practice called Kaua Kio or Sham Battle.

Participants learned a basic introduction to a traditional kanaka practice that helped communities maintain military readiness and enhances one's mana. Concepts of the battlefield can also be applicable to Lāhui or individual adversity. Each participant constructed a pair of padded spears, complete a basic workout to dodge, parry, and catch spears, and compete in kaua kio.

Kaua Kio is a rite of passage that leads up to other related rites and rituals such as kaliʻi, the making of a chief, and ka mauli, a rite that warriors undergo returning from battle.

Lā Ho'i Ho'i Ea Papa Kui'ai Education

The importance of kalo and sustainability shared by Molekumu Kalani Puaoi, Papa Ku'i 'Ai (poi pounding board shared by Daybreak Church)

This is our son Niklauz Kūka'ilimoku Guzman-Simpliciano we are so proud of him in everything he does so naturally almost instinctively generational embedded. Something we firmly believe in is asking ourselves this question:

"How am I creating a legacy for the next 10 generations of my descendants as well as the descendants of the community that I live in? How am I making Hawaiʻi our home a better place? How am I making the globe a better place?" our Guzman-Simpliciano Ohana will carry this kuleana

until the very last Aloha 'Aina!