A lei-draping ceremony, colorful parades and other festivities on the Big Island will honor a King Kamehameha I this week.
On Kamehameha Day, which is Thursday, June 11, festivities begin in North Kohala with the original statue of King Kamehameha I being draped in 25-foot flower lei. The event runs from 7:45 to 9 a.m. at the statute, which has stood in Kapaau since 1912.
Kamehameha Day is a state and county holiday. Kamehameha Day was first established in 1871 to honor Kamehameha the Great, who united the Hawaiian Islands in 1810 and became Hawaii’s first king. He died in 1819.
At 9 a.m., a traditional floral parade, which features community members, cultural representations and businesses will get underway. The parade will feature hula dancers, pa’u riders and floral floats that will traverse Akoni Pule Highway from Hawi to the statue and Kamehameha Park in Kapaau. A road closure will be in effect during the parade that is expected to last about 90 minutes.
Festivities continue from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Kamehameha Park in Kapaau where a hoolaulea will be held. The event will feature music, crafts and foods.
On June 13, the annual King Kamehameha Day Celebration Parade will be held in Kailua Village. This year’s parade theme is “Moi Kamehameha Nui.”
The parade will begin at 9 a.m. near Royal Kona Resort and travel down Alii Drive before heading up Palani Road to Kuakini Highway. Adorned in the flowers and colors of the Hawaiian Islands, pa‘u riders on horseback will represent each of the eight islands, led by their respective princesses and the pa‘u queen.
The floral parade will also feature hula halau, equestrian units, marching bands, a horse-drawn carriage and more, organizers said.
After the parade, enjoy a hoolaulea at King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel. The event, which begins at 11:45 a.m., offers a free concert featuring top Hawaiian recording artists including Nathan Aweau, Lito Arkangel and Komakakino.
For more information, visit konaparade.org.
