ANAHOLA — Sunday is the birthday of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
Jan. 17 also marks a significant time in the history of Hawaii and often the historical Hawaiian event is overlooked or overshadowed by Martin Luther King Jr. celebrations. Jan. 17 is a significant date because it is the day, some 123 years ago, in which Hawaii’s Queen Lili‘uokalani did not take up arms against the U.S. military, which was overthrowing the monarchy.
In 2014, the state of Hawaii passed Senate Resolution 21 recognizing Jan. 17 of every year as Ho‘oku‘ikahi Day, or reconciliation day, in honor and remembrance of the justice, reconciliation, and nonviolence of Queen Lili‘uokalani.
Ko‘olau Hui‘ia Church in Anahola will be celebrating at its 9 a.m. worship service — “Ho‘oku‘ikahi Sunday”— along with youth from Kauai who are part of the Kauai Association United Church of Christ whom will be hosting an online “Virtual Peace Summit” at 3 p.m. The focus will be on the peace and justice of both Martin Luther King Jr. and Queen Lili‘uokalani.
“It’s our hope to balance the understanding of people on this honorable day,” said Kahu Rennie Mau, pastor at Ko’olau Hui‘ia Church. “People may call it the anniversary of the overthrow, but we wish to emphasize not the actions of the overthrow, but the actions of Hawaii’s Queen Lil‘iuokalani and her choice of peacemaking. She chose the path of justice and reconciliation and something we continue to this day. She did not abdicate her throne.”
Ko‘olau Hui‘ia Church will do readings and sharing of both writings and sayings of both Martin Luther King, Jr. and Queen Lili‘uokalani and also focusing on the lyrics of Lili‘uokalani’s composition of “Ke Aloha A Ke Akua” known as the Queen’s Prayer.
At 3 p.m., on the Internet, a “Virtual Peace Summit” will go live hosted by the youth ministry of the Kauai Association United Church of Christ and the Pacific Justice and Reconciliation Center. The virtual summit can be seen by going to www.kiucc-youth.org and clicking on the link to the special website.
The site will showcase videos and resources on both Martin Luther King Jr. and Queen Lili‘uokalani. Various youth will also share from across Hawaii and a special video feed from youth in Indonesia.
“Kauai is blessed that the redress and apology by the U.S. Government and the United Church of Christ was initiated from Kauai some 25 years ago,” Mau wrote. “And we are blessed with the Aloha Peace Project.”
