Celebrating King Kamehameha Day
CELEBRATING King Kamehameha’s Birthday in Hilo with Lei Draping on June 10 and the day-long Festival on June 11.
Kamehameha Day (June 11) is a State holiday honoring the memory of the great king, Kamehameha I, who united the Hawaiian Islands and became Hawai`i’s first king in 1810.
The annual LEI draping of Hilo’s King Kamehameha Statue begins at 5 p.m. on Friday, June 10, 2011. The public is invited. The Royal Societies and members of the community will present their ho`okupu (gifts) to honor Kamehameha the Great. The County Band and the Kamehameha Chorus will share music.
The Kamehameha Festival, held on June 11 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., is a culturally significant event honoring King Kamehameha. The Royal Order of Kamehameha I has expanded the celebration, intending to protect, preserve and perpetuate the Hawaiian culture by sharing traditional Hawaiian dance, music, chant, practices, arts, and crafts with island residents and visitors. The festival is held on Moku ola (Island of Life, also known as Coconut Island), just over the bridge in Liliuokalani Gardens, off Banyan Drive, and is free to the public. For more information on the Kamehameha Festival see www.kamehamehafestival.org/festival.
