The ‘Onipa’a Peace March took place on the morning of January 16, 2026 from Mauna’ala Royal Mausoleum to Iolani Palace. The event occurs annually on January 17th or the nearest Friday to commemorate the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom and to honor Queen Liliu’okalani’s legacy. Thousands of participants marched in unison amongst the streets of downtown Honolulu including numerous schools such as Kamehameha, community members, and other various local leaders in remembrance.
The ‘Onipa’a Peace March first began in 1993, originally marching from the Aloha Tower to Iolani Palace to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the United States’ illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Till this day, the march remains a significant event that continues to pay tribute to Queen Lili’uokalani’s governance, resilience, and dedication to her people. The event is named after the Queen’s motto, “E’onipa’a i ka ‘imi na’auao”, which means to be steadfast in the seeking of knowledge. In Hawaiian, the word ‘Onipa’a means steadfast, set solid, and immovable. This reflects Queen Lili’uokalani’s unwavering commitment and diligence to her kingdom during the Hawai’i’s illegal overthrow.
This year, the theme of the ‘Onipa’a Peace March was “Mai Poʻina ʻOe Iaʻu”, meaning “don’t forget about me”. This theme highlighted the importance of remembering Queen Lili’uokalani’s legacy while also spreading awareness about the ongoing issues and injustices faced by Native Hawaiians. Throughout the event, local leaders and speakers spoke out about the issues such as the loss of land to military acquisition, displacement of Native Hawaiian families, and the lasting effects of the illegal overthrow. In addition to this, the speeches aimed to empower the Native Hawaiian community to speak up about these emerging issues, fight for their rights, and ensure their voices are heard. The march emphasized the Native Hawaiian identity and reinforced the message that these issues cannot be ignored.
On the Iolani Palace grounds, participants gathered to enjoy the commemoration with various cultural and educational activities. Attendees enjoyed Hawaiian food and participated in dancing hula to celebrate Hawaiian culture. In addition to this, several community organizations set up informational booths for participants to gain more knowledge on Hawaiian revitalization, education, activism, and sovereignty efforts. The diverse selection of activities allowed for participants, including those beyond the Hawaiian marchers, to enjoy traditional Hawaiian practices and gain a deeper understanding of the ongoing injustices faced by Native Hawaiians in Hawai’i.
Overall, this year’s ‘Onipa’a Peace March was a meaningful event that commemorated the legacy of Queen Lili’uokalani and recognized the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom. The annual march highlighted current issues faced by the Native Hawaiian community while encouraging individuals to speak out against injustice and advocate for cultural preservation. By bringing together local leaders, school students, and community members the march reinforced Queen Lili’uokalani’s motto to be steadfast, solid, and immovable in standing up against injustice, remembering the past, and looking towards the future for Native Hawaiian sovereignty.
