In today's democratic society we can easily forget that Hawaii's ancient history rested upon hereditary leaders trained and prepared for leadership. They had a concern for their people, a concern for the land and a concern for all that was "pono."

When Prince Kuhio died 75 years ago, he knew he had left a legacy. He wanted his "kanaka maoli" to be safe and secure on their own property. Despite the clever opposition of so many non-Hawaiians at that time, Prince Kuhio succeeded in persuading the U.S. Congress to make available homesteading land for his people.

Here at home the haole business leaders fought strenuously with political pressures to prevent losing their plantation and commercial lands. Most of them were interrelated by blood or by business and they lobbied hard and constantly to thwart his plans. In Washington, politicians liked the prince but were more easily swayed by their haole friends in Hawaii.

For Kuhio, it was a long and difficult struggle. Although he did not succeed as fully as he had hoped, he nevertheless obtained the congressional commitment to set aside land and money for his homestead project.

Ten times he was elected Hawaii's delegate to Congress. Ten times he overcame strong political efforts against him but never once did he stoop to dishonesty or demagoguery.

During the 1914 election campaign, the editor of the Honolulu Advertiser strongly opposed Kuhio's re-election but admitted that Kuhio "is almost the last male representative of the ancient Hawaiian chiefs ... a remarkable class, of great personal force and impressive dignity."

That statement of Lorrin Thurston is actually a description of a true alii. The "impressive dignity" of the chiefs came from their inner nobility from a class of people imbued with high character and quality.

Hawaiians today are the beneficiaries of five such alii.

Queen Emma left us a legacy of health care. The Queen Emma Foundation today actively reaches out to provide not only hospitalization but also preventive measures so that Hawaiians may today enjoy holistic health. Keep your eye on the present vision and work of the Queen Emma Foundation as it finds ways to assist in the betterment of the Hawaiian people.

King Lunalilo left his estate for the care of Hawaiian senior citizens. The Lunalilo efforts today will grow and reach out beyond their present limitations through stronger leadership and a greater collaboration with other Hawaiian agencies. We will see our kupuna become more and more active and helpful to each other.

Princess Pauahi left the Kamehameha lands for a meaningful education of Hawaiians. The Kamehameha Schools graduate some 400 young people each year. Those students are proud and grateful for the diploma that says "Imua" and sends them forth.

Criticisms of the Bishop Estate trustees are not always honest. Hopefully it is not jealousy of bigness or animosity against Hawaiians. The long list of Kamehameha graduates and the encouragement of all Hawaiian groups must support the intent of Pauahi the Alii.

Queen Liliuokalani left her estate for Hawaiian orphans and destitute Hawaiian children. Liliu's motto "Onipaa" (Stand Fast) guides the trustees and the dedicated staff of the Queen Liliuokalani Children's Center to strengthen Hawaiian values and traditions in the hearts of today's young Hawaiians. No matter what the problems of life may bring, the future generation of Hawaiians is learning to Stand Fast and Stand Tall.

Lastly, Prince Kuhio left us his Hawaiian Homes legislation to provide homesteading for Hawaiians. For 75 years Kuhio's legacy has suffered badly because other forces have constantly cheated and opposed what was supposed to be a chance for Hawaiians. The money that was due to the agency never really came. They got what Hawaiians call "kenikeni" (small change). The land made available was not choice land but often substandard. Always there were excuses and always there was an uninterested treatment of the project.

Hopefully the original efforts of Kuhio, the alii from Kauai, will in our times begin to bear fruit. Hopefully justice will prevail. Hopefully the Hawaiian people themselves will rise up and demand that their rights be respected.

These five legacies are excellent examples of alii concern. Five members of Hawaiian nobility, within a time span of 50 years, left concrete models of generosity and compassion.

We today should be proud of the tangible gifts of those genuine alii. We must preserve those assets. We must use them as stepping stones to raise up our status and our capabilities.

IN recent years there have been people in the community, businessmen and politicians, who would love to tamper with our five alii gifts. There have been, and still are, people who don't understand the purposes of the five legacies from the alii of the past. There seems to be a growing callous attitude against Hawaiian values and Hawaiian benefits.

We, as Hawaiians, must remain alert. Some people resent what we have inherited. Not all people wish us well. We are not racist because we nourish and foster pride of ancestry. We are not interested in taking what belongs to others. We are not really hostile to non-Hawaiians but we can be irritated by unfair criticisms and unfair actions.

Kuhio Day prompts us to be concerned about all Hawaiians. Our spirit of aloha motivates us to find ways to help any Hawaiian in need. The alii of the past are calling upon us to go forward ("Imua") and to stand fast ("Onipaa").