A L O H A !
click on these photos
"When that memory leaves,
then we lose the identity
of who we are."
Mahealani Asing
" The whole moon and
the entire sky
are reflected
in one dewdrop
in one dewdrop
on the grass. "
Dogen
" I believe above all
that I wanted to build
the palace of my memory,
because my memory
is my only homeland. "
Anselm Kiefer
Today is the 168th anniversary
of La Kuokoa,
Hawaiian Independence Day
Nov. 28, 1843.
La Kuokoa, was observed as a Hawaii holiday from 1844 to 1895,
when the U.S. government replaced it with Thanksgiving.
On this day we recall Timoteo Haalilio,
Kingdom of Hawaii diplomat
who worked tirelessly
to achieve the Kingdom's
independence in 1843.
On Nov. 28, 1843, Haalilio received signatures
from both the French
and the British governments
declaring Hawaii a sovereign nation.
Our Pacific archipelago was the first
non-European nation
to be so recognized a sovereign state.
( according to contemporary Hawaiian Nationalists
HERE )
Haalilio is a national hero that almost no one
but scholars or activists know about..
He was urgently dispatched
by King Kamehameha III in 1842
to the United States, and on to Europe,
to negotiate those treaties.
Such agreements were extremely precious
in the frankly imperial world politic of that time.
Haalilio traversed the United States
(almost unimaginably vast to an island guy)
to meet with President John Tyler.
The US President agreed
with the brown skinned diplomat
from a tropical island group,
endorsing Hawaii's independence.
Haalilio's Honolulu traveling companion was one
William Richards.
According to the Encyclopædia Britannica:
A few years back, Kekuni Blaisdell, MD shared with a local reporter
Richards' journal description of Haalilio's death by tuberculosis on Dec. 3, 1844,
during the final leg of their voyage home to Hawaii.
The Hawaiian diplomat was but 36 years old.
Kapua Keliikoa-Kamai, who is part Hawaiian, told the Honolulu Star Bulletin that it was
"outrageous" that she never learned about Hawaiian Independence Day,
"It's something so significant to learn about after only 45 years."
(almost unimaginably vast to an island guy)
to meet with President John Tyler.
The US President agreed
with the brown skinned diplomat
from a tropical island group,
endorsing Hawaii's independence.
Haalilio's Honolulu traveling companion was one
William Richards.
According to the Encyclopædia Britannica:
A few years back, Kekuni Blaisdell, MD shared with a local reporter
Richards' journal description of Haalilio's death by tuberculosis on Dec. 3, 1844,
during the final leg of their voyage home to Hawaii.
The Hawaiian diplomat was but 36 years old.
Kapua Keliikoa-Kamai, who is part Hawaiian, told the Honolulu Star Bulletin that it was
"outrageous" that she never learned about Hawaiian Independence Day,
"It's something so significant to learn about after only 45 years."
I would have to say that I agree.
As a patriotic American
I also hold a special place
in my heart
for the unextinguished sovereignty
for the unextinguished sovereignty
in the hearts
of the the Hawaiian people
and for their culture
which has hosted,
schooled,
and healed
my heart.
As a guest, and immigrant
I know that I owe my hearth, community, identity,
and lifestyle
to the hospitality of my adopted island home
and her indigenous people.
Like Solomon,
I hope no one will cut
the political HAWAII in two.
Like Jesus advises,
I proudly render unto my Nation her due,
and unto the heartfelt Kingdom Of Hawaii
an altogether different level of fealty and love.
Yes,
the Hawaiian People
should have a land base;
a place in their own islands,
and the means
to perpetuate their precious
ways & rights.
I'm a happy duel citizen,
of Hawaii & USA;
of this world, and the next.
Are YOU patriotic
about YOUR local place/people/culture-
or
are you more a citizen of the
nation? The world?
Join us in comments
& Thank YOU for visiting-
warmly, cloudia
