Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea

What is Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea?

Originally established on July 31, 1843 by Kauikeaouli, also known as Kamehameha III, after settling the temporary illegal occupation by a group of british troops
- A group of British troops, under Lord George Paulet, illegally occupied Hawaiʻi for a temporary span of months, less than a year
- Hae Hawaiʻi, Hawaiian flags, were seized and/or burned
- Admiral Richard Thomas, British Commander-in-Chief, restored the illegal actions by removing the Union Jack, British flag, and raising the hae Hawaiʻi. This action declared and symbolized the return of government and sovereignty to the Hawaiian people.

Stemming from this event, Kauikeaouli shared the now known motto, “Ua Mau ke ea o kaʻāina i ka Pono” translated to, “The sovereignty of the Hawaiian nation is restored by righteousness” or “The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness”

Quick Facts

Thomas Square in Honolulu was named after Admiral Thomas for what he had done to restore Hawaiʻi to its people
- Many Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea events are held here annually in recognition of where the historically changing event took place
Beretania Street, in Honolulu, was named that because a portion of the land on that street was leased to Great Britain during that period in time

Additional information

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Kauikeaouli
Kamehameha III