Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana'ole — whose birthday observation is the reason for yesterday's state and county holiday — was remembered yesterday morning at a ceremony at the Royal Mausoleum in Nu'uanu.

Despite intermittent heavy showers, between 200 and 300 people endured the elements to attend a program celebrating the life of Prince Kuhio.

Among them were members of Hawaiian civic clubs and royal societies.

The event featured musical selections as well as remarks by Princess Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kawananakoa, heir to the Kalakaua Dynasty of which Kuhio was a prince at the time of the overthrow of the monarchy.

Kuhio, who likely would have become king after the death of Queen Lili'uokalani had the monarchy continued, became a politician in territorial Hawai'i and served as a Republican delegate to the United States Congress.

While in Congress, he was instrumental in the passage of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, which provides homestead land for Native Hawaiians.

In her remarks, Kawana-nakoa spoke strongly about the issue of ceded lands.

The land handed over to Hawai'i by the United States was not the United States' to give, she said.

"My belief and conviction that the only recourse we Hawaiians have that will hold up in both Hawaiian and United States law is proof of ownership," Kawananakoa said. "... This certainly does not say we are bad Americans, it merely says in our hearts we are Hawaiian first."