Kamehameha Day

Kamehameha Day on June 11 is a public holiday of the state of Hawaii in the United States. It honors Kamehameha the Great, the monarch who first established the unified Kingdom of Hawaiokinai — comprising the Hawaiian Islands of Niokinaihau, Kauaokinai, Ookinaahu, Molokaokinai, Lānaokinai, Kahookinaolawe, Maui and Hawaiokinai. Kamehameha is known as the "Napoleon of the Pacific" for his achievements in warfare and diplomacy.

Establishment

The holiday was first established by royal decree of the ruling great grandson Kamehameha V on 1871. The first observance of the holiday happened the following year. Late 19th century celebrations of Kamehameha Day featured carnivals and fairs, foot races, horse races and velocipede races. Kamehameha Day was one of the first holidays proclaimed by the Governor of Hawaiokinai and the Hawaiokinai State Legislature when Hawaiokinai achieved statehood in 1959.

Today, Kamehameha Day is treated with elaborate events harkening back to ancient Hawaiokinai, respecting the cultural traditions that Kamehameha defended as his society was slowly shifting towards European trends. The King Kamehameha Hula Competition attracts hula groups from all over the world to the Neil S. Blaisdell Center for the two day event. Prizes are awarded on the second night.

Floral parade

A floral parade is held annually from okinaIolani Palace in downtown Honolulu past Honolulu Harbor and the Prince Kūhiō Federal Building through Kakaokinaako, Ala Moana and Waikīkī, ending at Kapiokinaolani Park. June 11 is also the anniversary of the dedication of Kapiokinaolani Park. The floral parade features local marching bands — including 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 "paokinau" riders. They represent a royal court led by a queen on horseback, followed by princesses representing the eight major islands of Hawaiokinai and Molokini. Each princess is attended by "paokinau" ladies in waiting. "Paokinau" 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 "Hookinaolauleokinaa," literally "Celebration," or block party with food and music. Cultural exhibitions are also scattered throughout Kapiokinaolani Park — arts and crafts, games, sports and other events planned by the Bishop Museum, the premier Hawaiian cultural institution.

Draping ceremony

The most important ritual dates back to 1901 after the Territory of Hawaiokinai was established. It is the evening draping ceremony in which the Kamehameha Statue in front of Aliokinaiolani Hale and okinaIolani 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 Hawaiokinai. 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.

Celebration

The celebration includes a traditional Pa‘u Parade and a Ho‘olaule‘a. The celebration is organized by the Kohala Hawaiian Civic Club.

ources

* [http://www.hawaii.gov/dags/agencies/king_kamehameha_commission King Kamehameha Celebration Commission]
* [http://www.kamehamehadaycelebration.org/ Kohala Kamehameha Day Celebration]