Last year, Keikilani Meyer watched mothers pushing their babies in strollers around the Kauikeaouli Literacy Fair; little ones too young to talk yet able to appreciate reading. The sight of families coming together around reading called to mind the inspiration for the event, the words of Kamehameha III, born Kauike-aouli, "My kingdom is one of literacy."

"At one time in our history, Hawai'i was the most literate country, before Great Britain, France, Belgium and the United States," Meyer said. "It is our greatest hope to re-instill pride in our people."

Meyer, interim director of Alu Like's Native Hawaiian Library, uses Kauike-aouli's words like an affirmation or a statement of her mission. "For all the times our keiki were told by a teacher, family member, or friend 'You stupid!' E ho'omana'o. He aupuni palapala ko'u. Remember. 'My kingdom is one of literacy. My people are the most literate in the world.' "

Kalehua Mueller, coordinator of the literacy fair, quotes studies that have shown that more Native Hawaiian students in grades 3, 5, 8 and 10 fell below Hawai'i content and performance reading standards than students of other ethnicities.

Kauikeaouli was king from 1824 to 1854. He was only 11 when he ascended the throne during a time of many challenges, including a smallpox epidemic that devastated the population and myriad changes that came with the influence of foreigners.

"At his encouragement, missionaries established many schools, teaching Hawaiians young and old how to read and write," Mueller said, explaining that the king believed an educated nation was a strong nation. "Kauikeaouli further pushed for education with the Constitution of 1840. This provided for free public education and mandated that all school-age children attend schools.

"This emphasis in education and literacy is evident in the newspapers of that time. In 1834, the first newspaper was printed in the Islands. This was well before any other established paper west of the Rocky Mountains. Soon, many other papers were established, and people of the Hawaiian kingdom were reading about news around the Islands and from abroad."

Alu Like's Native Hawaiian Library provides access to many of these papers, and more. Online, search at www.ulukau.org.

The literacy fair is Nov. 21 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Alu Like office, 458 Keawe St.. There will be food and entertainment along with the opportunity to learn about Alu Like's programs, plus books for sale. For more information, call 535-1354.