Remembering Hawaiian Independence and Restoring a Meaningful Tradition

Lā Kūʻokoʻa

Every year on November 28, many people in Hawaiʻi take time to honor Lā Kūʻokoʻa, also known as Hawaiian Independence Day. Although the holiday is not widely recognized today, it was once one of the most important national celebrations of the Hawaiian Kingdom. It marks the day in 1843 when Hawaiʻi was formally recognized as an independent nation by two of the world’s major powers.

Understanding the story behind Lā Kūʻokoʻa helps us appreciate the strength of the Hawaiian Kingdom and the extraordinary diplomatic achievements that protected it during a turbulent time in world history.

The Hawaiian Kingdom’s Diplomatic Mission for Recognition

During the early 1840s, Hawaiʻi faced increasing interest from foreign nations, each hoping to secure influence or control over the Islands. To safeguard the sovereignty of the Hawaiian Kingdom, King Kamehameha III made a strategic decision. He sent a diplomatic delegation across the world to negotiate treaties and secure international recognition of Hawaiʻi as an independent state.

The delegation included Timoteo Haʻalilio, William Richards, and Sir George Simpson. They were appointed as Ministers Plenipotentiary in 1842 and were given full authority to represent the Hawaiian Kingdom abroad.

Their mission began with separate routes. Haʻalilio and Richards traveled through Mexico before heading to Washington, D.C. Simpson took a northern route through Alaska and Siberia on his way to Europe. Despite the long and difficult journeys, the delegation’s efforts quickly gained results.

On December 19, 1842, United States President John Tyler confirmed that the United States recognized Hawaiian independence. Encouraged by this success, the delegation continued on to Europe to secure further support.

Their diplomatic work continued throughout 1843. On March 17 of that year, King Louis Philippe of France formally recognized Hawaiian independence. Soon after, on April 1, Lord Aberdeen, speaking for Queen Victoria of Britain, assured the Hawaiian delegation that the British government had determined to recognize the independence of the Hawaiian Islands.

On November 28, 1843, Britain and France issued what became known as the Anglo Franco Proclamation. This joint declaration stated that both nations recognized the Hawaiian Kingdom as an independent state and would not seek to take possession of any part of its territory.

This recognition was a remarkable accomplishment. Hawaiʻi became the first Indigenous governed nation to secure its sovereignty through international diplomacy. In the years that followed, Hawaiʻi entered treaties with major world nations and maintained more than ninety legations and consulates around the globe.

Lā Kūʻokoʻa was established as an official holiday to celebrate this achievement.

The Suppression of Lā Kūʻokoʻa

For decades, the people of Hawaiʻi celebrated Lā Kūʻokoʻa with pride. However, political events in the late 1800s changed the fate of the holiday. In 1893, the Hawaiian Kingdom was overthrown through illegal intervention by the United States. The new oligarchic government sought to reshape Hawaiian identity and move the islands toward annexation.

According to accounts shared by Hawaiian historian Patty Nishiyama of Na Kupuna O Maui, the new ruling group attempted to erase symbols of Hawaiian national pride. In 1895, they announced that Lā Kūʻokoʻa would no longer be recognized. The American holiday of Thanksgiving, which fell near the same date, was promoted in its place.

This shift was more than a calendar change. Holidays help shape identity and memory. Replacing Hawaiian Independence Day with an American holiday served to hide the history of Hawaiʻi as a recognized and independent nation.

At first, many Hawaiians continued to gather and celebrate Lā Kūʻokoʻa on their own. They shared stories about the diplomats who traveled across the world to secure the kingdom’s recognition. Over time, however, as the Hawaiian language and Hawaiian governance were suppressed, knowledge of the holiday faded from public memory.

Rediscovery and Revitalization

Much of the history of Lā Kūʻokoʻa came back to light thanks to Hawaiian language scholars who dedicated themselves to translating 19th century Hawaiian newspapers. These archives preserved the voices and experiences of the Hawaiian Kingdom era and revealed how deeply people once valued the holiday.

In recent years, there has been growing interest in restoring the celebration of Lā Kūʻokoʻa. Community groups, cultural organizations, schools, and individuals across Hawaiʻi have begun to recognize November 28 once again. For many, this renewed observance is an opportunity to honor the legacy of the Hawaiian Kingdom, reconnect with cultural identity, and acknowledge a chapter of history that was almost lost.

Celebrating Lā Kūʻokoʻa today serves several purposes. It highlights Hawaiʻi’s long standing presence as a recognized nation in international law. It honors the skill and determination of Hawaiian leaders who protected the kingdom through peaceful diplomatic means. It also opens important conversations about sovereignty, identity, and the ongoing impacts of historical events.

Why Lā Kūʻokoʻa Matters Today

Lā Kūʻokoʻa is more than a commemoration of a historical event. It is a reminder of a proud era in which Hawaiʻi stood among the nations of the world as an equal. It encourages people today to understand that the Hawaiian Kingdom was not shaped or granted legitimacy by foreign powers. Rather, it was a self governed nation with its own laws, systems, and international relationships.

By acknowledging and celebrating Lā Kūʻokoʻa, we keep this history alive. We honor the work of the Hawaiian Kingdom’s leaders, we recognize the resilience of the Hawaiian people, and we ensure that future generations understand the truth of Hawaiʻi’s past.

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