HB2045

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2045
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO STATE HOLIDAYS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the national celebration of La Hoihoi Ea was first established in 1843 under King Kamehameha III, Kauikeaouli, after a temporary occupation of the Hawaiian Kingdom by unauthorized representatives of the British Crown. During this occupation, effective control of the government was seized, and all Hawaiian flags were lowered and burned by order of British Lord George Paulet. Months later, Queen Victoria of Great Britain sent Admiral Richard Thomas to Hawaii to remove Paulet and end the occupation of the Hawaiian Kingdom.

In a large ceremony attended by thousands of Hawaiian citizens, the Union Jack was lowered and the Hawaiian flag was raised at what is now Thomas Square in Honolulu, symbolizing the return of effective sovereign control to Hawaii and King Kamehameha III.

This historic national event, called La Hoihoi Ea, or Sovereignty Restoration Day, gave rise to the famous proclamation by King Kamehameha III: "Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono", which is translated on the Thomas Square monument as "The sovereignty of the kingdom continues because we are righteous". This celebration became one of the first national holidays of the Hawaiian Kingdom, along with La Kuokoa, Hawaiian Independence Day.

La Hoihoi Ea continues to serve as a powerful symbol of Hawaiian self-determination and the enduring significance of ea — sovereignty, life, and the right to govern one's own land. It remains a deeply meaningful day that uplifts Hawaiian history, honors resilience, and empowers the Native Hawaiian people.

The purpose of this Act is to designate La Hoihoi Ea, Sovereignty Restoration Day, as a state holiday in place of Statehood Day.

SECTION 2. Section 8-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§8-1 Holidays designated. The following days of each year are set apart and established as state holidays:

(1) The first day in January, New Year's Day;

(2) The third Monday in January, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day;

(3) The third Monday in February, Presidents' Day;

(4) The twenty-sixth day in March, Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Day;

(5) The Friday preceding Easter Sunday, Good Friday;

(6) The last Monday in May, Memorial Day;

(7) The eleventh day in June, King Kamehameha I Day;

(8) The fourth day in July, Independence Day;

(9) The [~~third Friday in August, Statehood Day;~~] thirty-first day in July, La Hoihoi Ea;

(10) The first Monday in September, Labor Day;

(11) The eleventh day in November, Veterans' Day;

(12) The fourth Thursday in November, Thanksgiving Day;

(13) The twenty-fifth day in December, Christmas Day;

(14) All election days, except primary and special election days, in the county wherein the election is held; and

(15) Any day designated by proclamation by the President of the United States or by the governor as a holiday."

SECTION 3. Section 8-34, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is repealed.

["[~~§8-34] La Hoihoi Ea.~~ July 31 of each year shall be known and designated as La Hoihoi Ea to recognize the accomplishments of King Kamehameha III in restoring the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Hawaii and honor upstanding members of the Hawaiian community. La Hoihoi Ea is not and shall not be construed to be a state holiday."]

SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________