August 23
Statehood Day commemorates the addition of Hawai'i to the union in 1959. It is not universally appreciated here. We have a strong sovereignty movement. The USA took Hawai'i illegally, and some Native Hawaiians want it returned to them and their kingdom restored.

Manifesting Paradise ~ Book Photos
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King Kamehameha was the first person to unite the Hawaiian Islands. He died in 1819, just a year before the Christian Missionaries arrived. Below is an official portrait of him, though I suspect most people would rather remember him in his heyday as conqueror. 

Herb Kane painted many scenes from that period. Below right is his depiction of the battle of Moku Ahai.

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Turtle on the Beach - Old Soul
Turtle on the Beach - Old SoulTurtle on the Beach - Old SoulTurtle on the Beach - Old Soul
Turtle on the Beach - Old Soul
sunset
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Turtle on the Beach - Old Soul
Turtle on the Beach - Old SoulTurtle on the Beach - Old SoulTurtle on the Beach - Old Soul
Turtle on the Beach - Old Soul
statehood picture here
Community consensus - an oxymoron
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CHAPTER 9 ~ EXPERIENCING HAWAIIAN POLITICS
Statehood day
King Kamehameha Day is also a state holiday celebrated June 11. On the Big Island, it is celebrated for about a week, as this was his bithplace and base. First we have a ceremony at the King Kamehameha statue in North Kohala. Later in the week we have a parade in Kailua.