The University of Hawaii commemorated the anniversary of the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom along with the National Day of Racial Healing on Monday, which coincided with Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

What You Need To Know

  • The University of Hawaii at Manoa honored the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom in an inaugural event that incorporated the National Day of Racial Healing

  • More than 200 attendees gathered at UH Mānoa’s McCarthy Mall

  • Activities included learning how to care for plants with UH Mānoa Campus Arboretum Curator Nōweo Kai

  • A procession presented hoʻokupu (offering) to honor Queen Liliʻuokalanai and Martin Luther King Jr. 

Monday was the 130th anniversary of the Hawaiian Kingdom and the 7th annual National Day of Racial Healing, described as a time to come together to figure out how we heal from the effects of racism. While the university has commemorated the overthrow in past years, this was the first event that incorporated the National Day of Racial Healing.  

The UH Mānoa Native Hawaiian Place of Learning Advancement Office hosted the inaugural event called Hawaii Kuʻu Home Aloha (Hawaii my beloved home), according to a release.

More than 200 students, faculty, staff and community members gathered at UH Mānoa’s McCarthy Mall. Activities included learning how to care for plants with UH Mānoa Campus Arboretum Curator Nōweo Kai and sharing stories through a writing workshop with playwright Sean Dunnington.

The day opened with an oli (chant) that was composed by Kumu R. Keawe Lopes, Jr., director of the UH Mānoa Kawaihuelani Center for Hawaiian Language. The oli was called “Welina Mānoa” and honors the area where the university lives. 

At noon, a procession presented hoʻokupu (offering) to honor Hawaii’s last reigning monarch at an altar in front of the Liliʻuokalanai Student Services Center.

“It is our kuleana (responsibility) here at UH Mānoa to highlight and share the many truths of our communities,” said Kaiwipunikauikawēkiu Punihei Lipe, UH Mānoa Native Hawaiian Affairs Program Officer. “The overthrow of Queen Lili‘uokalani and the Hawaiian Kingdom is not only a part of our history, but also our current reality, and can be felt in every part of Hawaii today. That’s why it is important to create spaces to remember and explore what the overthrow meant and continues to mean for us.”

The procession continued to Martin Luther King Jr.’s honorary plaque near the art department, where hoʻokupu were also placed.

Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com.