A celebration in honor of Kamehameha the Great, the monarch who first established the unified Kingdom of Hawaii – comprising the Hawaiian Islands of the Hawaiian Islands of Niʻihau, Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Kahoʻolawe, Maui, and Hawaiʻi. In 1883 a statue of King Kamehameha was dedicated in Honolulu by King David Kalākaua (this was a duplicate, because the original statue was temporarily lost at sea). There is another duplicate of this statue in Emancipation Hall at the Capitol Visitor Center in Washington, D.C.
First proclaimed by Kamehameha V (on December 22, 1871) as a day to honor his grandfather – it was almost mean as a replacement for Hawaiian Sovereignty Restoration Day (on July 31) which the king and Ministers disliked due to its association with the Paulet Affair.
It was in the 19th century celebrations of Kamehameha Day featured carnivals and fairs, horse races and velocipede races.
In 1959 when Hawaii became the 50th state of the United States – Governor William Quinn and the Hawai’I State Legislature proclaimed Kamehameha Day as one of the first holidays.
Today, June 11 is public holiday in the state of Hawai’I – treated with elaborate events harkening back to ancient Hawai’I, respecting the cultural traditions that Kamehameha defended as his society was slowly shifting towards European trends.
Events such as the King Kamehameha Hula Competition which attracts hula groups from all over the world converging at the Neil S. Blaisdell Center.
Let’s not forget the Kamehameha Day Floral Parade – an annual parade held at various locations throughout the state of Hawaii. In Oahu, the parade runs from the Iolani Palace in downtown past the Honolulu Harbor – the Prince Kuhio Federal Building through Kaka’ako, Ala Moana and Waikiki, ending at the Kapi’olani Park – to which celebrates the anniversary of the dedication of the Park.
The Floral parade features local marching bands – featuring the Royal Hawaiian Band (the oldest municipal band in the United States) – and artistically designed floats using native flowers and plants. Many local companies enter floats for their employees.
A favorite floral parade feature is the traditional royal paʻu riders. They represent a royal court led by a queen on horseback, followed by princesses representing the eight major islands of Hawaiʻi and Molokini. Each princess is attended by paʻu ladies in waiting. Paʻu women are dressed in colorful and elegant 19th century riding gowns accented with lei and other floral arrangements.
After the parade, the state celebrates a Hoʻolauleʻa, literally celebration, or block party with food and music. Cultural exhibitions are also scattered throughout Kapiʻolani Park—arts and crafts, games, sports, and other events planned by the Bishop Museum, the premier Hawaiian cultural institution.
On the Island of Hawaii, there are three floral parades held. One between the towns of Hawi and Kapaʻau and one in the town of Hilo. There is a King Kamehameha Day Celebration Parade and Ho`olaule`a in Kailua Kona on Ali`i Drive each year. There is also a lei draping ceremony in Kapaau at the statue of King Kamehameha there.
The most important ritual of the celebration dates back to 1901 after the Territory of Hawaiʻi was established. It is the afternoon draping ceremony in which the Kamehameha Statue in front of Aliʻiolani Hale and ʻIolani Palace on King Street in downtown Honolulu is draped in long strands of lei. The same is done at the Kamehameha Statue on the former monarch’s home island, the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. Outside of the state, a similar draping ceremony is held at the United States Capitol where the Kamehameha Statue there is also draped in lei in the company of federal officials.
The celebration includes a traditional Pa‘u Parade and a Ho‘olaule‘a. The celebrations are organized by the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission and other community organizations.
