Learning About La Hoihoi Ea

I was an adult when I first learned about La Hoihoi Ea. Even though I'm Native Hawaiian and born and raised in Hawaii, this wasn't something I grew up knowing about. I learned about it later, while studying Hawaiian, visiting Hawaiian culture-centered organizations, and following people who were sharing Hawaiian history online.

When I first learned about it, I felt a lot of things at once — surprised that I hadn't known, a little sad that it took me so long to learn my own history, but also really grateful. Grateful for the people at that time who worked to restore the kingdom to the Hawaiian people. That part gives me a lot of hope for Hawaii’s future. Those feelings are why I illustrated an abridged version of the history of the day. I wanted people to connect to it visually, and I wanted to bring my own perspective and feelings into it.

When I shared it the first time many years ago, so many people had the same reaction I did — surprise, anger, sadness and a desire to learn more.

At the time my keiki were too young to understand, but now my keiki are old enough and I'm excited to sit down and read it with them so they can know this part of our history too.

You can download the illustrated La Hoihoi Ea story for free on my website here.