KOLOA — Three days after the statewide Prince Kuhio Day, a celebration in Koloa honored Kaua‘i ali‘i Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Pi‘ikoi, who established the Hawaiian Homes Commission that promised homesteads to Native Hawaiians. Hawaiian organizations including Hale O Na Ali‘i,
KOLOA — Three days after the statewide Prince Kuhio Day, a celebration in Koloa honored Kaua‘i ali‘i Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Pi‘ikoi, who established the Hawaiian Homes Commission that promised homesteads to Native Hawaiians.
Hawaiian organizations including Hale O Na Ali‘i, Hawaiian Civic Clubs and Ka Lahui Hawai‘i, and the event’s sponsoring groups, The Royal Order of Kamehameha I and the Na Wahine Hui O Kamehameha, offered ho‘okupu, or gifts, to honor Prince Kuhio at the same-named park in Koloa yesterday.
Songs, pule, or prayer, chants and leis of more than 15 feet were draped over a monument dedicated to the “Citizen Prince.” Members of the Aha Hui O Ka‘ahumanu, wearing their black mu‘umu‘us and yellow feather leis, presented the most colorful lei of red and yellow puakenikeni flowers.
Also paying their respects were Warren Perry of The Royal Order, who has hosted the event for more than 20 years, the Department of Hawaiian Homelands, Kamehameha Schools and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
Peter Kea of The Royal Order said that Prince Kuhio inspired Hawaiians to think about what it means to be Hawaiian.
“Special days like this move us to think about it,” Kea said. “It gives us the opportunity to meet with fellow Hawaiians to reinforce that Hawaiian culture is alive. It’s about being with our brothers and sisters and thinking about what it is to be Hawaiian and what the future is for Hawaiians.”
After Mayor Bryan Baptiste and County Councilman Ron Kouchi offered a ti leaf lei, Baptiste told the crowd to not forget about Hawaiian culture.
“Remember the spirit that lives within the Hawaiian soul,” Baptiste said. “We need to make sure we don’t lose that. Each and every one of you can make a difference for generations to come, and I hope you will.”
Representing the state government, Sen. Gary Hooser, D-Kaua‘i/Ni‘ihau, and Rep. Roland Sagum III, D-District 16, presented a lei in honor of the prince.
“It’s a privilege and honor to be here,” Hooser said. “It’s a time to offer respect to the prince, respect to the Hawaiian people and respect to the Hawaiian culture.”
Also paying their respects were Tom Shigemoto, a vice president with Alexander & Baldwin, and Dick Holtzman, president of Kukui‘ula Development Co.
Shigemoto mentioned that as the 1,000-acre Kukui‘ula development neighbors Prince Kuhio Park, which is maintained by The Royal Order. The company has been a strong example of what being a good neighbor is all about, he added.
“We don’t really own the land, we are stewards of the land. As developers, we don’t have the best name, but we are trying to our best to do what’s best for everyone’s concerns,” Shigemoto said.
He added that Kukui‘ula has donated an additional 16 acres of land to The Royal Order for expansion of the park.
Born on March 26, 1871, Prince Kuhio was the great grandson of King Kaumuali’i, the last king of Kaua‘i. Kuhio Day, which is celebrated on March 26, was established as a state holiday in 1949.
As a young man, Prince Kuhio left the islands to attend St. Matthew’s College in San Mateo, Calif., and later attended the Royal Agricultural College in England.
After the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893, Kuhio joined the revolutionaries and tried to re-establish the monarchy. He was arrested, charged with treason and spent a year in prison before being pardoned when Queen Liliuokalani surrendered.
He married the daughter of a Maui chief in 1896 and left the islands, vowing to never return to a Hawai‘i that was “inhospitable” to Hawaiians. After suffering from homesickness, Kuhio returned in 1901. From 1902 to his death in 1922, he served as a Hawaiian delegate to Congress.
While in Congress, Kuhio appropriated $27 million for the dredging and construction of Pearl Harbor, the establishment of the Makapu‘u Point Lighthouse, the Hilo Wharf, the Hawai‘i Volcano National Park, the Kilauea National Park and creating county governments with elected officials.
In 1919, he introduced the first bill in Congress requesting Hawai‘i be admitted to the United States as a state.
Prince Kuhio died Jan. 7, 1922, and is buried in the Royal Mausoleum in Nu‘uanu on O‘ahu.
