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Celebrate the legacy of King Kamehameha on June 11 with King Kamehameha Day! This special holiday honors the memory of the great Hawaiian ruler who unified the Hawaiian Islands in 1810 and established a powerful kingdom. It has been celebrated since 1871, when it was declared a public holiday by King Kalākaua. With its long history, this day is filled with fun traditions and activities that honor the life and achievements of one of Hawaii's most beloved rulers. So grab your lei and join in on all the festivities for an unforgettable celebration!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1810</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>King Kamehameha Unifies Hawaii</div><div class='timeline-text'>King Kamehameha the Great successfully unified the Hawaiian Islands into one royal kingdom in 1810 after years of conflict.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1871</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First King Kamehameha Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>King Kalākaua declared June 11 as a holiday to honor Kamehameha the Great, the first King Kamehameha Day takes place.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1883</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Kamehameha Statue Unveiled</div><div class='timeline-text'>The iconic King Kamehameha Statue is unveiled in Honolulu on King Kamehameha Day, becoming a symbol of the holiday.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1978</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Held Floral Parade</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first floral parade is held on King Kamehameha Day, a tradition involving a procession of floats adorned with native Hawaiian flowers.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2019</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Recognition Beyond Hawaii</div><div class='timeline-text'>King Kamehameha Day starts to gain recognition outside of Hawaii with celebrations occurring in parts of mainland United States.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Research King Kamehameha</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take some time to read and learn about King Kamehameha, the founder of the Kingdom of Hawaii. Read about his life, his accomplishments, and his influence on Hawaiian culture.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Visit a museum</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>There are various museums across Hawaii that feature exhibits about King Kamehameha. Visit one of these museums to get an up-close look at the history and legacy of this great king.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Watch a movie or documentary</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Celebrate King Kamehameha Day by watching a movie or documentary about him. This is a great way to learn more about him and his impact on Hawaiian history.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a parade</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Across Hawaii, there are parades held to commemorate the life and legacy of King Kamehameha. Attend one of these parades and join in the celebration.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Make a traditional dish</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Cooking is a great way to celebrate any holiday, so why not make a traditional Hawaiian dish for King Kamehameha Day? Try out local favorites like Kalua pork or poi for a unique culinary experience.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It honors King Kamehameha I</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>King Kamehameha Day is an important holiday that honors the first king of the Kingdom of Hawaii. On this day, we celebrate his legacy and the importance of uniting the Hawaiian Islands into a single kingdom - something that would have been impossible without his leadership and strong sense of justice.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It celebrates Hawaiian culture & history</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Kamehameha Day is not just a celebration of one man; it's also a celebration of Hawaiian culture and history. It serves as a reminder to all of us to respect our past, our traditions, and pay tribute to those who worked hard to make Hawaii what it is today.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It brings people together</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>King Kamehameha Day is also a great opportunity for people from all backgrounds and beliefs to come together and celebrate the spirit of aloha. There are parades, parties and other festivities that bring everyone together in honor of the king and in appreciation for the wonderful life he provided for us all!</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>King Kamehameha's birth coincided with a stellar event</h3><p class='facts-content'>Traditional Hawaiian lore states that the birth of King Kamehameha coincided with the appearance of Halley's Comet in 1758, interpreted as a powerful omen of his future greatness.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>King Kamehameha statue is part of U.S. Capitol's National Statuary Hall Collection</h3><p class='facts-content'>A bronze statue of King Kamehameha I is one of Hawaii's two contributions to the U.S. Capitol's National Statuary Hall Collection, displayed prominently in Emancipation Hall of the Capitol Visitor Center.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>King Kamehameha I enacted the Law of the Splintered Paddle</h3><p class='facts-content'>Also known as Mamalahoe, this law, created by King Kamehameha I, is considered one of the first declarations of human rights, asserting that all civilians during wartime should be protected and not harmed.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>King Kamehameha was aware of global politics</h3><p class='facts-content'>During his reign, King Kamehameha maintained diplomatic relations with major powers such as Britain and the United States, helping to protect Hawaii from European colonization.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Lei Draping Ceremony is a Highlight of King Kamehameha Day</h3><p class='facts-content'>One notable tradition of King Kamehameha Day is the draping of long strands of floral leis on the statues of King Kamehameha across the state, with the main ceremony taking place at the statue in downtown Honolulu.</p></div></div>
King Kamehameha Day is celebrated on June 11th every year. In 2024 King Kamehameha Day will occur on a Tuesday.
2023
Jun 11
Sunday
2024
Jun 11
Tuesday
2025
Jun 11
Wednesday
2026
Jun 11
Thursday
2027
Jun 11
Friday
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