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!)

2023 King Kamehameha Day Events

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.

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

DateTimeIslandEventLocation
6/2/20235:00 - 9:00 p.m.MolokaʻiThe King's GalaHiro's ʻOhana Grill at Hotel Molokaʻi, Kaunakakai
6/3/20235:30 p.m.MolokaʻiKing Kamehameha Celebration Pāʻū ParadeKaunakakai Town - Ala Malama Avenue, Kaunakakai
6/3/20236:00 - 10:00 p.m.MolokaʻiKing Kamehameha Celebration Hoʻolauleʻa (Kaunakakai)Ball Park, Kaunakakai
6/9/20231:00 - 5:00 p.m. OʻahuKing Kamehameha Statue Lei DrapingHonolulu - Aliʻiolani Hale
6/10/20239:00 - 11:30 a.m.Hawaiʻi IslandKing Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade (Kona)Kona
6/10/202311:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.Hawaiʻi IslandKing Kamehameha Celebration Hoʻolauleʻa (Kona)Huliheʻe Palace, Kona
6/10/202310:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.KauaʻiKing Kamehameha Celebration Hoʻolauleʻa (Līhuʻe)Līhuʻe
6/10/202310:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.MolokaʻiKamehameha Paniolo Heritage RodeoMaunaloa Town
6/11/20238:00 a.m.Hawaiʻi IslandKing Kamehameha Statue Lei DrapingKing Kamehameha Statue, Kohala. Morning protocol begins at sunrise, royal procession, halau performances, receiving lei at 7:00 a.m.
6/11/20239:00 a.m.Hawaiʻi IslandKing Kamehameha Celebration Floral ParadeKohala
6/11/202311:00 a.m.Hawaiʻi Island105th King Kamehameha Celebration Hoʻolauleʻa (Kohala)Kohala
6/17/20239:45 a.m.MauiNā Kamehameha Commemorative Pāʻū ParadeLāhainā
6/17/20239:00 a.m.MauiNā Kamehameha Commemorative HoʻolauleʻaLāhainā
Lānaʻino events scheduled
06/10/20239:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.mOʻahu106th King Kamehameha Celebration Floral ParadeIolani Palace to Kapiʻolani Park

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

  • 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

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: Vacant
  • Papakōlea Community Association: Vacant
  • Island of Hawaiʻi: Desiree Moana Cruz
  • Island of Maui: Moani Whittle-Wagner
  • Island of Kauaʻi: Vacant
  • Island of Molokaʻi: Vacant
  • 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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