Hawaii
‘Mai poina ‘ole’: Native Hawaiians unite on 132nd anniversary of illegal overthrow
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Friday was a unifying day of remembrance, tradition, and reflection for the Native Hawaiian community.
The annual Onipa’a march commemorated 132 years since Queen Liliuokalani was ousted from the throne of the Hawaiian kingdom in an illegal overthrow.
“I think that this is a very important time for us to remember what happened in 1893 with the overthrow. She was so gracious to forgive — but we don’t forget. Mai poina ole,” Kumu Hula and cultural practitioner Vicky Holt Takamine said.
Thousands came together from the Native Hawaiian community, school groups, and other organizations to take part in the march that began at Mauna’ala, the royal mausoleum in Nu’uanu.
The masses weaved through the streets of Honolulu and concluded with a gathering at ‘Iolani palace.
“It’s beautiful to me. It’s heartwarming in showing our people are here. Our voices are being heard, cause I can hear them all the way in the back — and it’s just wonderful,” Waianae resident and Queen’s Court Attendant Kealaula Kapololu said.
This year’s march blended a sense of Hawaiian pride while also renewing the call for indigenous rights. Many acknowledge the progress made, but say there is still much needs to be done.
“The wrongs have not been righted. We are still at the highest level of health issues. We have the most people that are homeless. We have the most people that… don’t have enough food to eat — and keiki, and education… So we’re at the bottom of that totem pole, and I was like, we have to fix this,” Kumu Vicky said.
The day also highlighted issue like land rights, occupation, and clean water access. Ernie Lau of the board of water supply was among the speakers.
Kumu Hula Kawaikapuokalani Hewett was at the first Onipa’a march 32 years ago, and remembered speaking after respected Hawaiian scholar, the late Haunani-Kay Trask.
“From 1993 till now, of course it has grown, but it has to grow more. And more people should be become involved to do the right thing. You cannot live in Hawaii and not perpetuate what is right and what should be done,” he said.
From keiki to kupuna, the day was chance for the lahui to come together and show that Hawaiian culture is alive and well.
“Until the last kanaka maoli takes the last breath, we will fight, we will fight, and we will continue to fight for pono. For justice of our land and our people,” Kumu Kawaikapuokalani added.
Participants encouraged more people to attend next year. The march always happens on Jan. 17, the date of the overthrow
Copyright 2025 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
Gov. Josh Green today issued a statement regarding a federal lawsuit challenging the eligibility requirements within the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act.
“The Hawaiian Homes Commission Act was established to address the historic dispossession of Native Hawaiians and reflects a longstanding commitment to them by both the federal government and the state of Hawaiʻi,” said Green.
“This lawsuit threatens that commitment. I have directed the Department of the Attorney General to vigorously defend the Hawaiian Homes program. We will fight this lawsuit with everything we have,” he said.
The lawsuit was filed by Eric Ryan, an Oʻahu resident who is not Native Hawaiian and tried to apply for a lease, but was denied due to the 50% Native Hawaiian blood quantum requirement, according to Hawaiʻi News Now and court documents published at Courthouse News Service.
The Class Action Complaint argues that the “explicitly ancestry-based requirement” establishes a “permanent government mandate for state officials to engage in outright racial discrimination, perpetuates stereotypes, and limits housing opportunities for most Hawai‘i residents. The blood-quantum requirement thus violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution,” the complaint alleges.
Green said the administration “stands firmly with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the thousands of Native Hawaiian beneficiaries who rely on this program and its promise for future generations.”
Attorney General Anne Lopez also issued a statement saying the state of Hawaiʻi has both a legal and moral obligation to uphold the commitments embodied in the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act.
“This lawsuit seeks to dismantle a program that has provided opportunities, stability and hope to generations of Native Hawaiian beneficiaries,” said Lopez.
Solicitor General Kalikoʻonālani Fernandes, who has extensive experience handling complex constitutional litigation on behalf of the state, will lead the legal team in defending the state against the challenge.
“We are prepared to vigorously defend the Hawaiian Homes program and the promises it represents,” said Lopez.
Under the Green administration, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands has accelerated the delivery of homestead opportunities and expanded pathways to homeownership for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries.
In 2025 alone, DHHL offered more than 2,500 lease awards and continues to advance major housing projects, including Hale Mōʻiliʻili on Oʻahu, which will provide 278 affordable rental units for beneficiaries.
“These efforts reflect the administration’s commitment to reducing wait times, strengthening Native Hawaiian communities and fulfilling the promise of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act,” according to the governor’s announcement.
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Concrete fell from the exterior of an Ala Moana Center parking structure Monday afternoon near the Kapiolani Boulevard exit, damaging a vehicle.
No injuries were reported.
Security blocked an exit lane as debris scattered across the roadway. Ala Moana Center said they are grateful no one was hurt, and the lane will remain closed while structural engineers and construction professionals assess the damage and make repairs.
Copyright 2026 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
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