COVID-19 and Freedom: Hawai‘i King’s Call to the World

Today, HRM Edmund K. Silva, Jr., Ali‘i Nui Mō‘ī of the Kingdom of Hawai‘i, released a heartfelt message addressing the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on the history of Hawai‘i and the devastating diseases brought by Captain Cook in 1778, the King emphasized resilience, health, and above all, freedom from fear.

Reflecting on his February 2020 letter that encouraged Hawaiians to remain calm and protect one another, Silva asks whether we have truly learned how to prevent and treat COVID-19 effectively over the past 17 months. While prevention has improved, he stresses that fear continues to dominate global conversation.

“My concern is your fear,” the King wrote, noting that fear often leads people to surrender their freedoms for promises of safety.

Silva affirms both Hawaiian sovereignty and individual sovereignty, calling for informed decision-making free from government overreach. He encourages people to strengthen their immune systems through healthy living, stress reduction, and thoughtful research on prevention and treatment options.

The King’s guidance includes:

• Prevention: Prioritize nutritious food, clean water, and immune-supporting supplements.
• If ill with COVID-19: Seek medical attention but also take time to study available remedies.
• Vaccines: Research both benefits and risks before making personal health choices.

Beyond health, Silva warns of the dangers of excessive government control, quoting 19th-century philosopher Pierre-Joseph Proudhon on the burdens of governance. He urges people to defend their freedoms, reminding them that to remain silent in the face of tyranny is negligence to oneself, one’s family, and one’s ancestors.

He closes with inspiration from Queen Liliʻuokalani, who counseled future generations never to stop acting out of fear of failure.

“May my words be a blessing to your ears, heart, and soul,” Silva concludes.

On this day, the Kingdom of Hawai‘i’s message is clear: to endure this pandemic, we must strengthen our health, protect our freedoms, and ensure that fear does not rule our future.