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King Kamehameha Celebration Commission

King Kamehameha statue in Honolulu, draped with lei.
King Kamehameha statue at Aliʻiolani Hale (Honolulu)

2023 Theme: E ala e nā kini o ka ʻāina! (Arise all people of the land!)

Sunday, June 11, 2023

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.

2023 King Kamehameha Day Events

Please note that dates, times, and locations are subject to change. You can also download a PDF version: 2023 King Kamehameha Day Celebration Events.

King Kamehameha Day 2023 Calendar of Events. Click on the image for a printable PDF version.

Hawaiʻi Island

  • King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade (Kona) June 10, 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
  • King Kamehameha Celebration Hoʻolauleʻa (Kona) Huliheʻe Palace, June 10, 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  • King Kamehameha Statue Lei Draping (Kohala), King Kamehameha Statue (Kohala), June 11, 8:00 a.m. Morning protocol begins at sunrise, royal procession, halau performances, receiving lei at 7:00 a.m.; lei draping 8:00 a.m.
  • King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade (Kohala), June 11, 9:00 a.m. 
  • 105th King Kamehameha Celebration Hoʻolauleʻa (Kohala), June 11, 11:00 a.m.

Kauaʻi

  • King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade (Līhuʻe), Kauaʻi Rice Street from Vidihna Stadium to the Historic County Building, June 10, 10:00 a.m.
  • King Kamehameha Celebration Hoʻolauleʻa (Līhuʻe), Kauaʻi Historic Building, June 10, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Maui

  • N⁠Kamehameha Commemorative Pāʻū Parade, Lahaina, June 17, 9:45 a.m.
  • N⁠Kamehameha Commemorative Hoʻolauleʻa, Lahaina, June 17, 9:00 a.m.

Molokaʻi

  • 2nd Annual King’s Gala, Kaunakakai, Hiro’s ʻOhana Grill at Hotel Molokaʻi, June 2, 5:00 – 9:00 p.m.
  • King Kamehameha Celebration Hoʻolauleʻa (Kaunakakai), Molokai Community Health Center, June 3, 5:30 – 9:00 p.m.

Oʻahu

  • King Kamehameha Statue Lei Draping (Honolulu), Aliʻiolani Hale, June 9, 2:30 – 5:00 p.m.
  • 106th King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade (Honolulu), ʻIolani Palace to Kapiʻolani Park, June 10, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  • King Kamehameha Celebration Hoʻolauleʻa (Honolulu), Queen Kapiʻolani Park, June 10, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • Inaugural King Kamehameha Celebration Pāʻina, Waikīkī Marriott Beach Resort and Spa, June 10, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

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: Shelley Kēhaulani Peʻa
  • Kamehameha Schools Alumni Association: Napuʻunoa Crabbe
  • Kapahulu Music Club: Kimo Keaulana
  • Waimānalo Hawaiian Homestead Association: Leilani Kahoano (pending)
  • Papakōlea Community Association: Vacant
  • Island of Hawaiʻi: Desiree Moana Cruz
  • Island of Maui: Moani Whittle-Wagner
  • Island of Kauaʻi: Kalei Hoffman (pending)
  • Island of Molokaʻi: Leināʻala Lopez (pending)
  • Island of Lānaʻi: Vacant

Meeting Agendas and Minutes

Meeting Recordings

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

Social Media

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.

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