Hawaiian Pilgrimage pays tribute to Pres. Cleveland at his Birthplace

From: Kaleo Patterson <kaleop@hawaii.edu>
Subject: birthplace press release

Press Release
All Media and Press
April 27th, 2007
Caldwell, New Jersey

On a cool overcast morning, on April 27th, Native Hawaiians on a pilgrimage gather in front of the Cleveland Birthplace Historic site. They are here to pay tribute to President Grover Cleveland for his role as advocate of peace, justice and reconciliation regarding the overthorw of the Queen more than 100 years ago. Your people today in New Jersey hardly know anything about the 22nd and 24th President. It is for certain they have not been taugth anything about his courage and moral character when in those days he risked reputation and political career to restore the small and friendly Hawaiian Nation. Mark Twain when visting these islands, called the islands "the most hospitable and most beautiful place one earth." Tragic was the injustice of the overthrow says Cleveland and even when he left office after his second term and could not bring about the desired change, he continued to speak against the tyranny that was taking place. Cleveland was an anti-imperialist and anti- exapansionist, whose religious upbringing, a father who was a Presbyterian minister in Caldwell, and a mother who was a Mennonite, set the course for his life actions to come. He is considered by many in Hawaii a hero, a just, honest, and true peacemaker and justicekeeper.

Read the rest in the extended entry...

Hawaiians visiting Caldwell today sang songs written by the Queen, and chanted ancient prayers called oil. A kumu hula or teacher of Hawaiian chant, story, and dance, Luana Haraguchi, calls today's event the most historic of her time, and in tears she remembers the ways of the people of old, who lands are no longer in Hawaiian hands. As the dancer moved rythmically to her chanting, the fluid and melodius language communicated the universal "aloha" that is the spirit of the people of that land.

Dr. Haaheo Guanson of the Pacific Justice and Reconciliation Center is convinced that Cleveland is the most humble and untold story of a great man, who stood for the weak, and worked tirelessly against all odds for justice and true peace in the world.

Dr. Kaleo Patterson a Hawaiian priest and human rights activist, comments that the hope of Cleveland and Liluoakalani to right the wrongs and promote hawaiian restoration, was not lost but have lived and is born anew in the hearts of many in Hawaii. Hawaiians he says, because of Cleveland and the Queen did not lose their language, and their culture and yearning for justice is stronger than ever. The hawaiian restoration is alive in their hearts and souls, and they will never reliquish the hope of justice.

Hawaiians concluded prayers and songs and triubutes by presenting the recently passed Hawaiian State Legislative Resolution HCR 82, which sets aside April 30th every year as Hawaiian Restoration Day in honor and tribute to President Grover Cleveland. Letters of support from the full Hawaii Congressional Delegation was also read and presented to the officals present. Included in the ceremonies was the grandson of President Clevealnd, George Cleveland, who recieved all and the spirit of the event with deep humiliy and appreciation. That he was present for such a historic event caused the clouds to part, the rains to stop and the sun to shine for a brief moment on the humble and grateful gathering of souls, on that day at the historic humble birthplace, that small log cabin of a home, where President Grover Cleveland was born into this world to be acknolwedged now on this day.

by Rev. Dr. Kaleo Patterson
808-330-3769

Posted: Fri - April 27, 2007 at 08:48 AM

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Hawaiian Pilgrimage pays tribute to Pres. Cleveland at his Birthplace

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