Mahalo to those who provided the account of the first Huaka`i to raise the flags on the Mauna in 2002.  What is truly amazing is that the first trips were done after days on foot starting at the Koholālele to Kūka`iau, along the `Umikoa Trail ascending to Kūkahau`ula and ending all the way to the ocean at Kīholo Bay.  

This tradition continues and again this year on July 31, the flags were raised on Mauna Kea at noon on Lā HoʻiHoʻi Ea.  The flags are raised to acknowledge that the Hawaiian Kingdom still exists and "We are still here" for the Mauna and for Hawai`i.

If youʻd like to learn more ,a glimpse of those early times has been posted on MKEAʻs Instagram account. Mahalo to Baron Ching, Christi Maumau, Kapulei Flores and Kahea.org for sharing photos and stories of these huaka`i.