North Kohala to celebrate King Kamehameha Day on Sunday

A lei-draping ceremony, parade and other festivities will honor King Kamehameha I on Sunday in Kapaau.

On Kamehameha Day, which is 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.

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.

At 11 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.

Info: www.kamehameha-daycelebration.org.