PUHI — July isn’t just the month that celebrates America’s independence. It’s also the month that celebrates Hawaiian sovereignty. Next week Saturday, July 8 at Kauai Community College will be a La Ho’i Ho’i Ea (Sovereignty Restoration Day) to celebrate
PUHI — July isn’t just the month that celebrates America’s independence. It’s also the month that celebrates Hawaiian sovereignty.
Next week Saturday, July 8 at Kauai Community College will be a La Ho’i Ho’i Ea (Sovereignty Restoration Day) to celebrate when Great Britain returned sovereignty to King Kamehameha III and the people of Hawaii.
“That was like Independence Day celebrations for Hawaiians,” said Walter Ritte, local Hawaiian rights activist. “Over the past couple of years, we’ve been gathering more and more people to celebrate it. And this year, we’re celebrating the whole month of July.”
There will be a La Ho’i Ho’i Ea on each of the islands, beginning July 1 on Molokai and culminating on Oahu on July 29. Guest speakers, entertainment and activities, and most importantly, films will be shown on what is being done on the national and international levels for the people of Hawaii.
Ritte said only states or nations can go to the international courts and since Hawaii was recognized in 2000, they’re going to the courts on a fact-finding commission.
“We’re trying to galvanize the Hawaiian community to support this international effort,” he said. “The efforts at the international level actually split the Hawaiian community. So we’re trying to have lessons learned and when we go to the committee, we want all Hawaiians to be of one mind. We want the nation of Hawaii to come together on this one.”
The July 8 gathering on Kauai is free and open to the public to learn, become a part of the solution and to support those who fight to protect and revive the Kingdom of Hawaii.
“It’s really important for people to come out and get educated,” Ritte said. “What we’re presenting is the tip of the iceberg, the most advanced efforts of the Hawaiian community at the international level, where we’ve never gotten before.”
Ritte said only through dedication and hard work will the people of Hawaii be justified and recognized on the international level.
“We’re not the state of Hawaii, we’re the Kingdom of Hawaii,” he said. “Only legal facts and laws will be presented at the international level. And we expect that at the end of the day, the commission will say that Hawaii is occupied, according to all of the legal facts presented to them. I think it’s important to tell the world about who we really are.”
