Welo Ka Hae Hawaiʻi – Celebrating Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea

Thursday, July 31, 2025
Flagpole Lawn | Gallery Lawns | Hawaiian Hall Complex
5:00pm – 9:00pm
FREE with registration

Bishop Museum celebrates Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea, Sovereignty Restoration Day.

Established on July 31, 1843, by Kauikeaouli, King Kamehameha III, Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea became one of the first national holidays of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Marking the return of political power to the government of King Kamehameha III after the British temporarily seized control of Hawai‘i in 1843, Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea was celebrated with great pride throughout the 19th century. Celebrations included large community gatherings and formal affairs hosted by the King himself. In the words of Kamehameha III, who proclaimed on this day, “Ua mau ke ea o ka ʻāina i ka pono” (The life [sovereignty] of the land is perpetuated in righteousness).

Join us for an evening of mele, hula, conversations, activities and more in observance of this national holiday of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi.

Featured Exhibit
Kū a Lanakila! Expressions of Sovereignty, 1900-1920.
Experience the interweaving of political and cultural life during the aftermath of the 1893 illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdon depicted in Kū a Lanakila! Expressions of Sovereignty, 1900-1920. Showcasing rarely seen items from Bishop Museum’s Ethnology and Library & Archives collections, this exhibit bridges the gap between the Hawaiian Kingdom and early territorial periods, revealing the resilience and adaptability of Kanaka ʻŌiwi. 1900-1920 were critical years when Kanaka ʻŌiwi and citizens of Hawaiʻi from diverse backgrounds advocated to maintain social and political influence under American governance. This was accomplished through extensive community organizing expressed in ceremonies, civic engagement, government elections and competitive sports.

Aʻa, the beloved 40-foot koa racing canoe commissioned by Ke Aliʻi Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole, stands as a central mea kupuna of Kū a Lanakila!, and as a rallying point for our community to examine, reflect upon and discuss this pivotal period in the history of Hawaiʻi, bringing to light issues that remain relevant today.