Exonerate the Queen, Heal the People: Why Liliʻuokalani’s Name Must Be Cleared Now

On November 29, 2025, a historic Royal Proclamation was issued in the name of Hawaiʻi’s aliʻi, kupuna, and people. In it, His Royal Majesty Edmund Keliʻi Silva – Paki II formally exonerates Queen Liliʻuokalani, Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole, and the Hawaiian patriots who were imprisoned, threatened, and punished during the 1895 Kaua Kuloko (Civil War) and the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom.

This is more than a symbolic gesture. It is a deliberate act of healing, a declaration that the hearts, lives, and sacrifices of Kanaka Maoli were never criminal. It affirms that those who stood for truth, justice, and the preservation of the Hawaiian Kingdom were—and are—heroes, not traitors.

For generations, our people have carried a heavy burden:

• The overthrow of 1893
• The imprisonment and humiliation of our Queen
• The wrongful convictions of hundreds of patriots
• The ongoing dispossession of land, culture, and sovereignty

The Royal Proclamation, titled “From Sorrow to Strength: Answering the Sacred Duty to Reclaim, Heal, and Unite Hawai‘i,” is a step in answering that burden with courage, faith, and clarity.

Remembering the Wounds: A Living History

The overthrow of Queen Liliʻuokalani was not just a political event—it was a deep violation of justice and human rights. It tore at the fabric of our kingdom and reshaped the lives of Kanaka Maoli in painful ways:

• 1893: The Hawaiian Kingdom was overthrown through deception, greed, and the use of foreign power.
• 1895: During the Kaua Kuloko, hundreds of Hawaiian patriots—including the Queen herself and Prince Jonah Kūhiō—were arrested, imprisoned, and threatened with execution.
• Aftermath: Many were branded as criminals for their loyalty to the Kingdom. The long shadow of those events has stretched across generations, contributing to ongoing injustice, including high incarceration rates and systemic marginalization of Native Hawaiians.

These events are not just stories in a history book. They are part of the living memory of our lāhui. Their effects are felt in our land struggles, in our communities, and in the quiet ache of knowing that what happened was wrong—and has never been fully corrected.

A Sacred Duty: The Heart Behind the Proclamation

In the message accompanying the Proclamation, HRM Edmund Keliʻi Silva – Paki II speaks plainly about his role and responsibility. He emphasizes that this calling is not about seeking political power, but about answering a sacred duty to serve:

Many are called, few are chosen. The invitation to serve is open to all, but only a few respond with courage and humility.

From that perspective, this Proclamation is an expression of stewardship. It acknowledges:

• The pain, sorrow, and injustice experienced by Kanaka Maoli
• The courage of those who stood for land, sovereignty, and justice
• The spiritual and moral responsibility to set the record straight

The message is clear: the struggle of our ancestors was righteous, and their names must be cleansed of every accusation of shame.

What the Royal Proclamation Declares

The Proclamation, issued under the authority of the reigning King, Commander-in-Chief, Guardian of sacred sites, and Poʻo Paʻa of the Supreme Indigenous International World Court, makes several key declarations:

Exoneration of Hawaiian Patriots

All convictions against Queen Liliʻuokalani, Prince Jonah Kūhiō, and every Hawaiian patriot wrongfully judged during that period are declared nullified.

Restoration of Honor

Their honor is restored. Their names are to be spoken with reverence, not suspicion. They are to be remembered as courageous defenders of justice.

Reinstatement of Rights, Lands, and Titles

All rights, lands, and titles unjustly revoked due to those convictions are reinstated by ORDER, dated November 29, 2025, within the restored Kingdom of Hawaiʻi.

A Living Act of Justice, Not Symbolism Alone

This is described not as a symbolic act, but as a fulfillment of justice, a clearing of falsehoods, and a public restoration of truth before the world.

In other words, it is a formal statement that the Hawaiian Kingdom refuses to accept the false narrative that its defenders were criminals. Instead, it places them where they belong: among the honored and the brave.

Healing a Nation: From Sorrow to Strength

This Proclamation is part of a larger movement: the effort to reclaim, heal, and unite Hawaiʻi.

It acknowledges that:

• The injustice of the overthrow still echoes in our present-day struggles—poverty, homelessness, cultural loss, and systemic inequality.
• Many in positions of power within the United States have acted without true understanding of the worth and dignity of Kanaka Maoli and other Indigenous peoples.
• Our people’s cries for justice, safety, health, education, and cultural protection have too often been ignored or minimized.

Yet, the message is not despair. It is hope grounded in action.

The Proclamation calls us to rise not with weapons, but with:

• Dignity
• Unity
• Grace
• Honor
• Justice
• Moral clarity

It affirms “The Kingdom of Hawaiʻi belongs to God.” It invites all who love Hawaiʻi to see this not as a relic of the past, but as a living, breathing effort to restore righteousness, compassion, and self-determination.

What This Means for Supporters of the Kingdom

For those who support the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi, this Royal Proclamation is:

• A call to remember our true history, not the edited versions that justify injustice
• A call to honor the sacrifices of those who stood for our Queen and our Kingdom
• A call to participate in a future built on unity, faith, and righteous governance

Supporting this work can look like:

• Learning and sharing the true history of the Hawaiian Kingdom
• Speaking of Queen Liliʻuokalani, Prince Kūhiō, and the patriots with the honor they deserve
• Standing in solidarity with Kanaka Maoli in efforts to protect land, culture, and sacred sites
• Choosing to live the spirit of aloha—real aloha that is rooted in justice, humility, and love of God and neighbor

The Proclamation is a milestone, but it is not the final destination. It is one step in a longer journey to heal what was broken and to rebuild what was taken.

Read the Full Proclamation

We invite you to read the complete document, “From Sorrow to Strength: Answering the Sacred Duty to Reclaim, Heal, and Unite Hawai‘i.”

In it, you will find:

• A heartfelt message to the people of Hawaiʻi and to all nations
• A clear acknowledgment of the pain and injustice of the past
• A powerful declaration of exoneration and restoration
• A vision of a future where Hawaiʻi’s heartbeat continues—united, dignified, and resolute

Nou Ke Akua Ke Aupuni O Hawaiʻi.

May this act of restoration bring comfort to our kūpuna, strength to our people, and clarity to all who seek truth.