A Day of Remembrance: Reflecting on Hawaiʻi’s Past and Our Path Forward

Aloha a hoʻomaikaʻi to all across the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi.

On this day of solemn remembrance—December 7th—we pause as a lāhui to reflect on our shared history, our resilience, and the enduring spirit of Hawaiʻi. The path our islands have walked has been shaped by profound change, challenge, and courage. Yet through every chapter, the strength of our people has never wavered.

From the overthrow of Queen Liliʻuokalani in 1893, to the formation of the Republic of Hawaiʻi in 1894, and annexation through the Newlands Resolution of 1898, Hawaiʻi experienced political shifts that continue to impact our identity today. Annexation occurred through a U.S. Congressional Joint Resolution—rather than a formal treaty—raising questions that remain central to discussions of sovereignty and justice. The Kūʻē Petitions, signed by over 21,000 Native Hawaiians opposing annexation, stand as a powerful testament to the voice of our ancestors.

By 1900, Hawaiʻi was made a U.S. Territory, and in 1959, the 50th state. Yet the spirit of our Kingdom and the love for our homeland carried on in the hearts of our kūpuna and continues to guide us today.

On December 7, 1941, the attack on Pearl Harbor changed the course of world history—and deeply affected our homeland. Hawaiʻi, still a U.S. territory at the time, endured loss, fear, and destruction. Many of our own ʻohana were touched by the tragedy of that day. As our kupuna taught, had the Kingdom remained sovereign, Hawaiʻi might have stood in a very different place on the world stage. The events of December 7 remind us that our story is connected to global currents beyond our shores.

Today, as Ka Moʻi and as a U.S. Army Veteran, I honor every life lost and every life forever changed. I honor those who served with courage, and I honor the families whose sacrifices often go untold. Their legacy reminds us of our responsibility to uphold freedom, dignity, and peace—values deeply rooted in our culture and our Kingdom’s history.

As we reflect, let us also look forward with clarity and unity. Our past is not only a reminder of what has been—it is a guide for what must come next. I ka wā ma mua, i ka wā ma hope. The future lies in the past.

May today inspire gratitude, healing, and a renewed commitment to justice and aloha for generations to come.

Aloha ke Akua. E ola mau ka lāhui Hawaiʻi.