King Kamehameha Day
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| date2026 | date2026 | date2027 | date2028 | date2029 | date2030 | duration | ends | firsttime | frequency | holiday_name | image | image_size | imagesize | lasttime | litcolor | longtype | mdy | month | nickname | observances | observedby | official_name | relatedto | scheduling | significance | startedby | type | week_ordinal | weekday | module}} King Kamehameha Day on June 11 is a public holiday in the U.S. state of Hawaii. It honors Kamehameha the Great (Kamehameha I), the monarch who first established the unified [[Kingdom of Hawaii|Kingdom of HawaiTemplate:Okinai]]<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>—comprising the Hawaiian Islands of [[Niihau|NiTemplate:Okinaihau]], [[Kauai|KauaTemplate:Okinai]], [[Oahu|OTemplate:Okinaahu]], [[Molokai|MolokaTemplate:Okinai]], [[Lanai|LānaTemplate:Okinai]], [[Kahoolawe|KahoTemplate:Okinaolawe]], Maui, and [[Hawaii (island)|HawaiTemplate:Okinai]]. In 1883 a statue of King Kamehameha was dedicated in Honolulu by King David Kalākaua (this was a duplicate, because the original statue was temporarily lost at sea but was recovered and is now located in North Kohala, island of Hawaiʻi). There are duplicates of this statue in Emancipation Hall at the Capitol Visitor Center in Washington, D.C., and in Hilo, island of Hawaiʻi.
Establishment
King Kamehameha Day, June 11, was first proclaimed by Kamehameha V (on December 22, 1871) as a day to honor his grandfather, Kamehameha I.<ref name="Schmitt1995">Template:Cite journal</ref> It was almost meant as a replacement for Hawaiian Sovereignty Restoration Day (on July 31) which the king and ministers disliked due to its association with the Paulet Affair.<ref>Template:Cite news; Template:Cite news</ref>
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 Hawaii|Governor of HawaiTemplate:Okinai]] and the [[Hawaii State Legislature|HawaiTemplate:Okinai State Legislature]] when HawaiTemplate:Okinai achieved statehood in 1959.
In contemporary Hawai'i, Kamehameha Day is treated with elaborate events harkening back to [[Ancient Hawaii|ancient HawaiTemplate:Okinai]], 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 at various locations throughout the state of Hawaii. On the island of Oahu, the parade runs from [['Iolani Palace|Template:OkinaIolani Palace]] in downtown Honolulu past Honolulu Harbor and the Prince Kūhiō Federal Building through [[Kakaako|KakaTemplate:Okinaako]], Ala Moana and Waikīkī, ending at [[Kapiolani Park|KapiTemplate:Okinaolani Park]]. June 11 is also the anniversary of the dedication of KapiTemplate:Okinaolani 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 [[Pa'u riders|paTemplate:Okinau riders]]. They represent a royal court led by a queen on horseback, followed by princesses representing the eight major islands of HawaiTemplate:Okinai and Molokini. Each princess is attended by paTemplate:Okinau ladies in waiting. PaTemplate:Okinau 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 HoTemplate:OkinaolauleTemplate:Okinaa, literally celebration, or block party with food and music. Cultural exhibitions are also scattered throughout KapiTemplate:Okinaolani Park—arts and crafts, games, sports, and other events planned by the Bishop Museum, the premier Hawaiian cultural institution.
On the Island of Hawaii, there are three floral parades held. One between the towns of Hawi and [[Kapaau, Hawaii|KapaTemplate:Okinaau]] and one in the town of Hilo. There is a King Kamehameha Day Celebration Parade and HoTemplate:OkinaolauleTemplate:Okinaa in Kailua Kona on AliTemplate:Okinai Drive each year. There is also a lei draping ceremony in Kapaau at the statue of King Kamehameha there.
Draping ceremony
The most important ritual of the celebration dates back to 1901 after the Territory of HawaiTemplate:Okinai was established. It is the afternoon draping ceremony in which the Kamehameha Statue in front of [[Aliiolani Hale|AliTemplate:Okinaiolani Hale]] and Template: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 HawaiTemplate:Okinai. 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 celebrations are organized by the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission and other community organizations.