Onipaa Peace March remembers overthrow of Hawaiian Kingdom

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – January 17 marks 131 years since the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom. The annual Onipaa Peace March commemorates Queen Liliuokalani’s forced removal from the throne.

Jonah Cummings and Liko Lehua Cabanting of this year’s Queens Court joined HNN’s Sunrise Weekends to talk about Queen Liliuokalani’s legacy, the sovereignty movement and teaching young people about a dark moment in Hawaii’s history.

On Wednesday, the Onipaa Peace March begins at 9:30 a.m. from the Mauna’ala Royal Mausoleum and ends at Iolani Palace.

The Queen’s portrait leads the march on the route. Students from about 20 schools will perform during the commemoration, which includes educational booths, entertainment and speeches until 5 p.m.

Cabanting said the march has grown from a small group of about 20 people when it first began to more than 6,000 expected attendees this year.

Shuttles to Mauna’ala will run from 7:30 a.m. to last pick up at Iolani Palace at 9 a.m. The shuttle stop is across from YWCA on Richards Street. Gates to Iolani Palace opens at 6 a.m.

For more information, visit kalahuihawaii.net/Onipaa.

To register your school and group, click here.

The route is 1.7 miles:

• Head Makai on Nuʻuanu Avenue
• Diagonal Crossover Beretania To Makai Side
• Right on Richards
• Left on King Street
• Turn left on Mililani Street into Palace

Copyright 2024 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.