In Hawaii the 26th of March is a state holiday to celebrate Prince Kuhio’s birthday.
Prince Kuhio was born on Kauai in 1871. The great grandson of Kauai’s last ruling chief, Prince Kuhio was in line to become King when the monarchy was overthrown in 1893.
Today we were at his birthplace to observe the protocol of honoring Prince Kuhio through giving ho’okupu (offerings). The commemorative ceremony was conducted by the Royal Order of Kamehameha.
Here are some interesting facts about Prince Kuhio:
- Imprisoned for treason by the U.S. government for attempting to return to sovereign rule.
- First Hawaiian representative elected to Congress.
- Prince Kuhio won a $27 million appropriation which included dredging and construction of Pearl Harbor and creating the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
- Established county governments with elected officials, the Hawaiian Homes Commission to provide lands to native Hawaiians for homesteading, the Order of Kamehameha, the Chiefs of Hawaii and the Hawaiian Civic Club.
Details: You can visit Prince Kuhio Park and Monument on Kauai’s South Shore. It’s located on Lawai Road near Po’ipu. Established in 1928, the park includes Ho’ai Heiau.
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