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What is Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea?

July 31 is a national holiday known as Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea (Sovereignty Restoration Day). King Kamehameha III established this holiday in a days-long celebration following the rightful return of sovereign government to Hawaiʻi by the United Kingdom, after an illegal seizure by one of their representatives. He proclaimed, “Ua mau ke ea o ka ʻāina i ka pono”, the ea (sovereignty, life, breath) of our land is perpetuated through justice. Hawaiians continue to breathe life into our sovereignty, and one way we do this is to celebrate ka Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea. 

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What is the significance?

After decades of suppression, the celebrations were revived in 1985 by Dr. Kekuni Blaisdell and other kānaka aloha ʻāina as a way to give voice to Hawaiian independence and to issues surrounding the

return and demilitarization of Hawaiian lands.

E MAU KE EA O KA 'ĀINA I KA PONO

HOW DID THE HAWAIIAN KINGDOM COME TO BE?

Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea is not just a historical date — it’s a living symbol of Hawaiian resilience, international recognition, and the ongoing pursuit of justice and sovereignty. It represents the first time in history that the sovereignty of a nation was restored through peaceful diplomacy. Today, the observance of this day is a reaffirmation of identity, unity, and resistance against colonial erasure. To learn how it all began, let's explore the timeline below:

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1794

Kamehameha I establishes first international alliance

Kamehameha I seeks to establish the Hawaiian Kingdom as a protectorate under Great Britain with the help of British Captain George Vancouver. When Captain Vancouver presents Kamehameha a British flag, Kamehameha raises it over his residence to confirm the diplomatic relationship.

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Holo akula ke ea i ke aukahi o ka lāhui.

Ea, or self-governance for our lāhui, embodies a sense of holo, the notion of being on a journey rather than focusing on a destination. The journey of ea for our lāhui began long ago. We are enroute and navigating through changing conditions and crews. Ea requires aukahi, the cohesion and coordination of our lāhui toward a common approach and set of stars used for navigation, and some degree of holo. All parts of our lāhui have value in meeting the varied skills, resources, and experiences needed for a successful journey.

EA MANIFESTS ALOHA ‘ĀINA, ALOHA ‘ĀINA DRIVES EA.

More Ea

Ea is a journey, state of being, and destination. What are some steps we can take as we holomua? 

Find Lā Hoʻihoʻi Events in your community, raise our beloved Hae Hawaiʻi, listen to Ea-filled music, and explore the resources below to learn more.

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Ea in kaiāulu

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