A lei-draping ceremony, colorful parades and other festivities on the Big Island will honor King Kamehameha I this weekend.
On Kamehameha Day, which is Saturday, June 11, festivities begin at 8 a.m. in North Kohala with the original statue of King Kamehameha I being draped in flower lei. The statue has stood in Kapaau since 1912.
Kamehameha Day is a state and county holiday. It was 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. Info: www.kamehamehadaycelebration.org.
Also Saturday, the annual King Kamehameha Day Celebration Parade will be held in Kailua Village. A road closure will be in effect along the route from 8:30 a.m. to noon.
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. Some 120 riders are expected to take part.
Moana Kuma will reign as queen of the Kona parade. Her unit will honor her entire extended ohana, friends, and past parade queens. As queen, she will pay tribute to her beloved Kona and its people. Moana has been a part of the Kamehameha Day Parade festivities for the past three decades as a pa’u rider, narrator, and planning committee member, according to parade organizers.
The floral parade will also feature hula halau, equestrian units, marching bands, a horse-drawn carriage and more, organizers said. This year’s parade theme is “Hoohiwahiwa No Kamehameha,” translated, “Honoring Kamehameha.”
After the parade, enjoy a Hoolaulea at Hulihee Palace. The event, which begins at 11:45 a.m., offers a free concert featuring Hoku Zuttermeister and Sistah Robi Kahakalau.
See story at right for more details on the Hoolaulea.
In Hilo, check out the Kamehameha Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Mokuola featuring Hawaiian music and hula from various artists and hula halau. There will also be food and arts and crafts. The festival is presented by the Royal Order of Kamehameha, Mamalahoa. The drug-, alcohol- and tobacco-free event is free. Info: www.kamehamehafestival.org.
At 5 p.m., the King Kamehameha Statue in Hilo’s Wailoa State Park will be draped in lie. The Hawaii County Band will perform during this free event. ■
