Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 39, Number 10, 1 October 2022 — Centuries of Connections Through Royal Transition [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Centuries of Connections Through Royal Transition

_V LEO 'ELELE V ^ TRUSTEE MESSAGES *

Our Hawaiian Monarchy has exemplified its royal connection to the British Monarchy. Our flag, our dress and style, regalia, names, music, the fashioning of our palaces and grounds, and our Queen Kapi'olani and Queen Lili'uokalani attending Queen Victoria's Jubilee in

England. The kaumaha, the heaviness of losing someone so dear to you, we all share in life. The transition to eternal life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II brings eelebration of a lifetime of service, devotion to duty and steadfast commitment for the eommon good. It is a moment joy and pride when one is able to make a connection. My grandparents, my dearest Pa U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka and my ever memorable grandmother Millie Akaka

met Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Seeing my grandmother wearing a lei pua kenikeni, the Queen smiled, reached out with her hand and said you're from Hawai'i. In later years, they met the Queen's consort, her husband, His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, at Maunakea on Hawai'i Island. I was honored to meet His Maj-

esty King Charles III - at the time as His Royal Highness Prince Charles, Prince of Wales - in Ngaruawahia, Aotearoa. We memorably shared a laugh and continued with the royal ceremonies of the day. Through the decades, Her Majesty the Queen's broadcasts brought words of hope. In a speech, the Queen shared her thoughts on the meaning of life through an Aboriginal proverb, "We are all visitors to this time, this plaee. We are just passing through. Our purpose here is to observe, to learn, to grow, to love...and then we return home." His Majesty the King's words now uplift in this time of transition with dedication to serve with loyalty, respect and love. As the world continues to evolve, may we be further inspired through the spirit of aloha to work towards unity and grace together in service to one another for the good of all. ■

Kaleihikina Aleaka Trustee, O'ahu

My grandparents, the lūte U.S. Sen. ūaniel K. Akaka and Millie Akaka, had the opportunity to meet Queen Elizobeth during one of her visits to Washington, D.C. - Photos: Courtesy

On o trip to Aoteoroo, I hod the priviledge of meeting (then) Prince Chorles ot Ngoruowohio.