11/28/2020
📸 • On this day, November 28th, Lā Kūʻokoʻa was recognized across the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi as a national holiday.
Lā Kūʻokoʻa signifies the day Timoteo Haʻalilio (1808-1844) received signatures from the French, British and United States declaring Hawaiʻi a sovereign independent nation.
Haʻalilio, with missionary William Richards along as his secretary, traveled through Mexico on foot and donkey to Washington D.C., where they met President John Tyler. President Tyler agreed to the intent of the proposed treaty. Haʻalilio and Richards, armed with his agreement, then went on to Europe, to Belgium, Paris, and London, where the treaty was finally signed. They returned to the United States to cement the U.S. agreement.
Timoteo Haʻalilio gave his life for this journey of independence, and died while on the final leg of his voyage before returning home to his beloved Hawaii, on December 3, 1844. He was 36 years old. Mahalo palena ʻole, to this brave man and warrior who brought us independence. Our aloha is endless. Kū ʻOkoʻa.
