King Kamehameha The Great

June 11, 2019

King Kamehameha I is known as the fearless leader who unified all of the Hawaiian Islands. The first ever observation of Kamehameha Day was on June 11^th, 1872 was instituted by Kamehameha V to honor his grandfather. The earliest celebrations of Kamehameha Day featured carnivals, foot races and horse races. On the first holiday, nearly 4,000 people gathered at the horse track where Kapi‘olani Park now sits.

Nowadays, Kamehameha Day has evolved into a holiday thatʻs compiled into numerous events across the state. From lei draping ceremonies, to Sunday service to floral parades – everyone loves to come together to honor Kamehameha. On Oʻahu, King Kamehameha Day is celebrated in Waikīkī where the Annual King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade takes place. On Maui, the locals celebrate along Lahainaʻs historic Front Street where colorful floats and local marching bands are diplayed for the Na Kamehameha Commemorative Pau Parade. And on Hawaiʻi island, there is an annual lei draping ceremony in Kohala, the birthplace of Kamehameha.

If youʻre traveling across the islands on Kamehameha Day in the future, be sure to check out one of the celebrations and learn more about why Hawaiʻi is so prideful of this King! While the celebrations differ, the honor and pride always remain the same – I Mua!