Tuesday, March 26th is Prince Kuhio Day, celebrated in honor of Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole. It is an official State holiday.
Prince Kuhio was born in 1872 and was an heir to the Hawaiian throne. However, in 1893 the Kingdom of Hawaii was overthrown by a group of American businessmen (with US Marines help). Prince Kuhio joined other native Hawaiians in 1894 in an attempt to take back their country and restore the monarchy, but the attempt failed. After a year in prison, he spent a number of years in self-imposed exile. Hawaii was officially annexed by the US in 1898. Prince Kuhio later returned to Hawaii, believing he could better help his people by participating in politics. He was elected to the US Congress and served the Hawaiian people as a congressional delegate from 1903 until his death in 1922. He was given a state funeral.
Prince Kuhio is celebrated for dedicating his life to the future well-being of the Hawaiian people.
On Saturday, March 30th there will be a Prince Kuhio celebration at the Banyan Tree Park in Lahaina.
Labels: Lahaina, life on Maui
