King Kamehameha Celebration Commission

Youth from the Papākolea Community Association conducting the King Kamehameha Lei Draping at the 2024 celebration (Honolulu)

King Kamehameha I Day Celebrations

2025 Theme: E Hoʻomau

June 11, 2025

  • King Kamehameha Day Parade (Oʻahu) Saturday, June 14, 2025
  • Lei Draping (Oʻahu) Friday, June 13, 2025
  • King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade (Kauaʻi) Saturday, June 14, 2025

On December 22, 1871, King Kamehameha V proclaimed a national holiday to honor and celebrate his grandfather and the father of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Originally, the people of Hawai‘i wanted to mark the legacy of Lot Kapūaiwa (Kamehameha V) on his birthday, December 11. Being the humble chief that he was, he opted to honor his grandfather instead and pushed the holiday as far away from his (Lot’s) birthday as possible, hence the arbitrary date of June 11. Thus, June 11, 1872, was the very first Kamehameha Day holiday ever celebrated.

2025 King Kamehameha Day Events

Please note that dates, times, and locations are subject to change.

Kauaʻi

  • King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade, June 14, 2025, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Starts at Vidihna Stadium up Rice Street to the Historic County Building.
  • King Kamehameha Celebration Hoʻolaulea (Līhuʻe), June 14, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Historic County Building Lawn

Molokaʻi

  • to be announced

Hawaiʻi Island

  • to be announced

Maui

  • Nā King Kamehameha Commemorative Pāʻū Parade (Wailuku), June 21, 2025, 9:45 a.m.
  • Nā King Kamehameha Commemorative Hoʻolaulea (Wailuku), June 21, 2025, 9:00 a.m.

Oʻahu

  • King Kamehameha Statue Lei Draping (Honolulu), Aliʻiōlani Hale, June 13, 2:30 – 5:00 p.m. Read the lei draping protocol below, or download the lei draping protocol information: 2024 KKCC Oʻahu Lei Draping Ceremony (PDF)
  • 108th King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade (Honolulu), ʻIolani Palace to Kapiʻolani Park, June 14, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  • King Kamehameha Celebration Hoʻolauleʻa (Honolulu), Queen Kapiʻolani Park, June 14, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • King Kamehameha I tribute at the statue of Kamehameha I, Aliʻiōlani Hale, June 11, 9:00 – 9:30 a.m. Sponsored by the Daughters and Sons of the Hawaiian Warriors-MĀMAKAKAUA.

Protocol for Oʻahu Lei Draping Ceremony

2024 Protocol based on the guidance and pursuant to Hawaiʻi Revised Statute 8-5. Subject to change at the discretion of the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission. 

  • 2024 King Kamehameha Celebration Commission General Public Information for Oʻahu Lei Draping Ceremony:
  • All Lei to be closed (tied) and approximately 30 feet in length when measured open, but no shorter than 20 feet.
  • Lei in kui pololei or kui poepoe method to be placed on the right arm of the statue.
  • Lei fashioned in the wili, wili poepoe, hili, haku, hīpuʻu or humu papa methods may be draped at the base of the statue or placed on the left arm of the statue.
  • Please keep weight to under 20 pounds if possible.
  • Only natural, biodegradable plant materials to be used, thread, string, nuts, and seeds are allowed.
  • Upon arrival, please register at Check-In Tent next to the parking lot near the statue for further direction.
  • Lei will be presented in the order below. For any group not listed below, your lei will be presented in the order of time stamp on online registration or time of check in at the Check-In Table on the day of the event with the final order at the discretion of the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission.
  • Please label lei so the emcee can make the necessary acknowledgements. Label to include name of organization, short description (50 words or less) of the organization, description of lei materials, lei making method, any other significant information that might be notable. Name(s) of presenter(s) and title(s) should also be included. Also, note whether your group would like to present lei at the statue, oli or hoʻokupu. 
  • Lei may be delivered in advance to be presented by group/organization to the designated receiver at the Check-in Tent and logged, it is then placed on the lawn, after 2:00 p.m. the lei draping order will be designated and then draped.
  • Lei will be grouped and draped at the discretion of the KKCC appointee(s).
  • Those wishing to give oli or hoʻokupu please note that floral arrangements and bouquets are welcome however lei are preferred, but no food items, liquids (libations), rocks, crystals, or candles please.
  • Pūʻolo lāʻī (tī leaf wrapped bundles) will not be accepted as hoʻokupu in itself. It is permissible to have lei kept inside but the lei/floral tribute must be removed from them prior to its contents’ presentation at the statue. The remnants of the pūʻolo lāʻī must be taken with presenter(s) and not left at the statue.
  • RSVP by Monday, June 3, 2024, prior to the Lei Draping Ceremony via the following link: forms.gle/Un5Jzvkv6BYVyzAm6. A confirmation email will be provided to confirm receipt of your requested reservation. 

Timeline 

  • 2:30 pm: Royal Hawaiian Band Performs
  • 3:00 pm: Welcome by Emcees and formal Lei Draping Ceremony to begin with Pule and Oli

Hawaiian Benevolent Societies

  • Royal Order of Kamehameha I
  • ʻAhahui Kaʻahumanu
  • Hale O Nā Ali’i O Hawaiʻi
  • Daughters & Sons of Hawaiian Warriors, Māmakakaua
  • Daughters of Hawai‘i

Ali‘i Trusts

  • Kamehameha Schools
  • Lunalilo Home
  • Lili‘uokalani Trust
  • Queen’s Health System

Governmental Entities

  • Hawai‘i Congressional delegates
  • Governor, State of Hawai‘i
    • State Departments – Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA), Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL), etc.
  • Judiciary
  • Hawai‘i State Legislators
  • Mayor, City & County of Honolulu
  • Mayors from other Hawai‘i counties

Elected officials must be present, no proxies

Parade Representatives

  • Mōʻī
  • Grand Marshal
  • Pāʻū

Event Sponsors

  • Kilohana by Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement

KKCC Organizations

  • Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs
  • Kamehameha Schools Alumni Association
  • Kapahulu Music Club
  • Waimānalo Hawaiian Homestead Association
  • Papakōlea Community Association
  • Island Commissioners

General Public

All others at the discretion of the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission, time allowing based on the order received day of the event.

Closing protocol

Removal of lei and other items

Please note, removal of lei, hoʻokupu or other items presented during the Lei Draping Ceremony will officially take place between 6 a.m. – 10 a.m. on the following Monday morning. Removal is based on availability of the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Accounting and General Services grounds crew. The crew will remove and dispose of all lei, hoʻokupu and any other objects that are not original to the statue or surrounding grounds. This removal will be done utilizing standard grounds keeping practices and policies in accordance with the general maintenance of the area. Anyone wishing to retrieve floral arrangements, containers or hoʻokupu that they or their organization specifically may have contributed during the Lei Draping Ceremony may do so in advance of this planned removal. We do not permit the removal of 30’ lei hung on the statue as it may result in damage to the statue. In most cases the plant material and lei will have withered because of the direct sunlight. Those wishing to retrieve their property should plan accordingly and dispose at their discretion. Any items that remain at 6 a.m. will be disposed of as described above. 

Videos

King Kamehameha: A Legacy Renewed

In Kohala, Hawai`i, the bronze sculpture of Kamehameha has been painted in life-like colors for as long as anyone can remember. How will the community react when a stranger arrives to conserve the cherished public monument and restore it to its original gold leaf and bronze patina finish?

2021 Videos: Hawaiʻi News Coverage

Suggested Reading

  • He Moʻolelo Kaʻao No Kekūhaupiʻo Ke Koa Kaulana o ke Au o Kamehameha ka Nui (Hawaiian version), Stephen Langhern Desha, Lōkahi Antonio, Brooke Parker / Kamehameha and his Warrior, Kekūhaupiʻo (English version), Stephen L. Desha
  • Kamehameha: The Rise of a King by David Eyre – Juvenile
  • King Kamehameha The Great: Warrior King of the Hawaiian Islands by Leilani Makua
  • Kamehameha: The Warrior King of Hawaii by Susan Keyes Morris
  • Kamehameha: Destiny Fulfilled by Allan Seidan
  • Kamehameha the Great by Julie Stewart Williams
  • Kamehameha: The Boy Who Became a Warrior King by Ellie Crowe and Don Robinson
  • Kohala Kuamoʻo: Naeʻoleʻs Race to Save a King by Kekauleleanaeʻole Kawaiʻaeʻa and Aaron Kawaiʻaeʻa
  • ʻO Kamehameha Nui (Hawaiian version), Julie Stewart Williams, illustrated by Robin Yoko Burningham / Kamehameha the Great (English version) Julie Stewart Williams, illustrated by Robin Yoko Burningham

Commissioners

  • Royal Order of Kamehameha I: Kainoa Daines, Chair
  • ‘Ahahui Ka‘ahumanu: Louise Alina
  • Hale O Nā Ali‘i: Ian Custino, Vice Chair
  • Daughters & Sons of Hawaiian Warriors, Māmakakaua: Puakeʻala Mann
  • Daughters of Hawai’i: Kehaulani Keanaʻaina
  • Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs: Beverly Lee
  • Kamehameha Schools Alumni Association: Jame Schaedel
  • Kapahulu Music Club: Kimo Keaulana
  • Waimānalo Hawaiian Homes Association: Leilani Kahoano
  • Papakōlea Community Association: vacant
  • Island of Hawaiʻi: Keke Kaniho (pending)
  • Island of Maui: Moani Whittle-Wagner
  • Island of Kauaʻi: Kalei Hoffman
  • Island of Molokaʻi: Leināʻala Lopez 
  • Island of Lānaʻi: Pamela Alconel

Meeting Agendas and Minutes

DateMeeting MinutesMeeting Recordings
2/13/2023KKCC_02-13-2023 Meeting Minutes (PDF)Video: KKCC 2/2023 meeting
1/10/2023KKCC 1-10-2023 Meeting Minutes (PDF)Video: KKCC 1/2023 meeting
12/13/2022KKCC 12-13-2022 Meeting Minutes (PDF)
10/11/2022KKCC 10-11-2022 Meeting Minutes (PDF)
9/13/2022KKCC 09-13-2022 Meeting Minutes (PDF)
8/9/2022KKCC 08-09-2022 Meeting Minutes (PDF)
7/12/2022KKCC 07-12-2022 Meeting Minutes (PDF)
6/7/2022KKCC 06-07-2022 Meeting Minutes (PDF)
4/12/2022KKCC 04-12-2022 Meeting Minutes (PDF)
3/8/2022KKCC 03-08-2022 Meeting Minutes (PDF)Video: KKCC 3/2022 meeting
2/8/2022KKCC 02-08-2022 Meeting Minutes (PDF)Video: KKCC 2/2022 meeting
1/11/2022KKCC 1.11.22 Meeting Minutes (PDF)
12/14/2021KKCC 12.14.21 Meeting Minutes (PDF)
11/9/2021KKCC 11.9.21 Meeting Minutes (PDF)
10/12/2021KKCC 10.12.21 Meeting Minutes (PDF)
9/14/2021KKCC 09-14-21 Meeting Minutes (PDF)
8/10/2021KKCC 08-10-21 Meeting Minutes (PDF)
7/13/2021KKCC 07-13-21 Meeting Minutes (PDF)
6/8/2021KKCC 06-08-2021 Meeting Minutes (PDF)
3/14/23KKCC 03-14-2023 Meeting Minutes (PDF)Video: KKCC 3/2023 meeting
04/11/2023KKCC 04-11-2023 Meeting Minutes (PDF)Video: KKCC 4/2023 meeting
5/9/2023KKCC 05-09-2023 Meeting Minutes (PDF)Video: KKCC 5/2023 meeting
6/6/2023KKCC 06-06-2023 Meeting Minutes (Word)Video: KKCC 6/2023 meeting
7/11/2023KKCC 07-11-2023 Meeting Minutes (Word)Video: KKCC 7/2023 Meeting
9/12/23KKCC 09-12-2023 Meeting Minutes (Word)Video: KKCC 9/2023 Meeting
11/14/2023KKCC 11-14-2023 Meeting Minutes (Word)Video: KKCC 11/2023 Meeting
01/19/2024KKCC 01-19-2024 Meeting Minutes (PDF)Video: KKCC 01/2024 Meeting
02/13/20242-14-24 KKCC Meeting Minutes (PDF)Video: KKCC 02/2024 Meeting
08/2023no meetingno meeting
12/2023no meetingno meeting
3/12/20243-12-24 KKCC Meeting Minutes (PDF)Video: KKCC 3/2024 meeting
4/9/202404-09-24 KKCC Meeting Minutes (PDF)Video: KKCC 4/2024 meeting
06/04/202406-04-2024 KKCC Meeting Minutes (PDF)Video: KKCC 6/2024 Meeting
7/9/202407-09-2024 KKCC Meeting Minutes (PDF)Video: KKCC 7/2024 Meeting
8/202408-13-2024 KKCC Meeting Minutes (PDF)Video: KKCC Meeting 8/2024
5/14/2024KKCC 05-14-2024 Meeting Minutes (PDF)Video: KKCC 5/2024 Meeting
9/10/2024KKCC 09-10-2024 Meeting Minutes  (PDF)Video: KKCC 9/10/2024 Meeting
10/08/2024Video: KKCC 10/2024 Meeting

Film Permit Information and Application

Per HRS 8-5, “The commission is authorized to determine to whom and for which occasions permission is to be granted for the use of the statue of King Kamehameha I.” Hawai’i Revised Statute 8-5: Capitol.Hawaii.gov/HRScurrent/Vol01_Ch0001-0042F/HRS0008/HRS_0008-0005

For more information: HawaiiFilmOffice.com/Film-Permitting/Film-Permit-Application

Contact

King Kamehameha Celebration Commission
355 North King Street
Honolulu, HI 96817
Telephone: (808) 586-0333
Email: [email protected]

Sponsors

Support provided by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority through the Community Enrichment Program.

Hawaii Tourism Authority logo
The Hawaiian Islands logo
Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (SFCA) logo
Royal Hawaiian Center logo
Kala Foundation logo
Southwest Airlines logo
Marriot Resort Waikiki Beach logo
Waimea Valley logo
Aloha Sunshine Tours logo
Tow 4 Sho and Recovery logo
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