STAR-ADVERTISER FILE
Performers celebrate La Ku’oko’a, or Hawaii Independence Day, at the Ward Warehouse Amphitheater. La Ku’oko’a falls on Thanksgiving Day this year, so Hawaiian food may be especially appropriate to join turkey on the menu today.
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Happy Hawaiian Independence Day
Today is … Independence Day?
Since Hawaii’s kingdom days, Nov. 28 was always celebrated as La Ku‘oko‘a (Hawaiian Independence Day), marking when, in 1843, Great Britain and France recognized the Hawaiian Kingdom. After the overthrow, the Republic of Hawaii declared Thanksgiving an official holiday, overshadowing the kingdom celebration, but sovereignty activists have revived it. As both dates coincide in 2019, Hawaiian food may be especially appropriate to join turkey on the menu today.
Get ready for holiday parades
The season’s parades — and accompanying city road closures — will get underway after Thanksgiving Day festivities, starting with three events slated for Friday. The largest, Waikiki Holiday Parade, is expected to feature some 4,000 marchers, including bands and military units, and 40 vehicles rolling down Kalakaua Avenue to Kapiolani Park, starting at about 7 p.m. The event honors survivors and veterans in memory of the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor.
Altogether, about two dozen parades and street activities will be held on Oahu before Christmas Day.