New state holiday proposed
A holiday that originated in the Hawaiian Kingdom could be making a comeback.
On Tuesday, the Senate Committee on Hawaiian Affairs voted in favor of a bill to make La Ku‘oko‘a — Hawaiian Recognition Day — a state holiday in place of Presidents Day. Senate Bill 1451 will next be sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
According to the bill, sponsored by each of the state’s 25 senators, the holiday was first celebrated in 1847 after global powers of the time recognized the kingdom as part of the family of nations.
“The celebration grew under the reign of King Kalakaua,” the bill states, “with formal proclamations sent by official circular to the foreign diplomatic corps in Hawaii and the Hawaiian Kingdom consuls abroad, informing them of the holiday.”
Read more: https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2019/02/06/hawaii-news/new-state-holiday-proposed/