Welo Ka Hae HawaiʻI – Celebrating Lā HoʻihoʻI Ea

Established on July 31,1843, by Kauikeaouli, King Kamehameha III, Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea became one of the first national holidays of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Marking the return of political power to the government of King Kamehameha III after the British temporarily seized control of Hawai‘i in 1843, Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea was celebrated with great pride throughout the 19th century. Celebrations included large community gatherings and formal affairs hosted by the King himself. In the words of Kamehameha III, who