On June 10, 2011, in front of Aliʻiōlani Hale the statue of King Kamehameha the Great was “…decorated with lei[s]. Placing long strands of flowers on the statue is a long-standing tradition” honoring the great king who united the Hawaiian Islands.

As I previously mentioned, celebrations will happen throughout the islands as well as on the mainland.  Here is the schedule for those living in Hawai’i per the King Kamehameha Celebrations Commission website:

June 11, 2011 – 95th  Annual King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade, 9:00 A.M.
Starting at King & Richards, ending at Kapi`olani Park via Punchbowl, Ala Moana and Kalakaua Avenue

Free validated parking at Restaurant Row. Bring the family and enjoy the festivities!

Parade will broadcast live on KFVE at 9am and www.k5thehometeam.com.
Rebroadcast, June 19 at 5pm, also on KFVE.

June 11, 2011 – King Kamehameha Celebration Ho`olaule`a, Kapi`olani Park, 10:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.

Island of Hawai`i

June 10, 2011 – Hilo:  Statue Lei-Draping Ceremony

June 11, 2011 – Hilo:  Kamehameha Festival, Moku Ola “Coconut Island”

http://www.KamehamehaFestival.org

June 11, 2011 – Kohala:  King Kamehameha Floral Parade and Statue Lei-Draping Ceremony

http://www.KamehamehaDayCelebration.org

June 11, 2011 – Kailua Kona:  King Kamehameha Day Community Parade

http://www.kamehamehaevent.org/index.html

Island of Maui

June 18, 2011 – Na Kamehameha Commemorative Pa`u Parade
Front Street, Lahaina

June 18, 2011 – Ho`olaule`a, Kamehameha `Iki Park, Moku`ula & Waiola Church

Island of Kaua`i

June 18, 2011 – King Kamehameha Floral Parade in Lihu`e
Starting at Vidinha Stadium (Ho`olako Street), 10:00am

Tomorrow is the beginning of the two-day celebrations to mark King Kamehameha Day in Hawai’i and this year’s theme is Wahine Holo Lio.  For those who are unaware of about the history of this awesome day here is a short history lesson for you:

King Kamehameha Day was proclaimed in 1871 by King Kamehameha V, to honor his grandfather, King Kamehameha I. The first King Kamehameha Day was on June 11, 1872, and it was one of the first holidays to be proclaimed when Hawaii became a state in 1959. June 11, 2011 will be the 95th annual King Kamehameha Day in Hawaii.

The celebrations begin tomorrow, June 10, 2011, at Aliʻiōlani Hale in downtown Honolulu where there will be a lei draping ceremony honoring the great king at his statue along King St. (right across from I’olani Palace.)

Then on June 11, 2011, the 95th Annual Oahu King Kamehameha Day Parade will begin at 9am (beginning at King St.) until 12pm where it ends at Kapi’olani Park.  Once the parade ends there will be a feast of food, entertainment, and much more.

So, if you happen to be a Kama’aina or a tourist visiting Oahu during this two-day celebration why not stop by both events and enjoy!  Believe me, you will have fun.   🙂

Finally, the local channel, K5, in Hawai’i will be streaming the King Kamehameha Day parade live online beginning at 9am.  Click the link here to learn more.

Source: KFVE

Photo: Author’s own and Hawai\’i Magazine