Shad Kane, who is half Hawaiian, attended the event to learn more about La Kuokoa.

"I didn't know about it for how many years," he said. "I wasn't aware that there was an independence celebration. For me it was an interesting piece of history. I just wanted to come and learn a little more."

Mahealani Asing, a sovereignty activist, stressed the importance of retaining Hawaiian history.

"When that memory leaves, then we lose the identity of who we are."

Kapua Keliikoa-Kamai, who is part Hawaiian, said it was "outrageous" that she never learned about Hawaiian Independence Day until about two weeks ago. "It's something so significant to learn about after only 45 years."