Posts Tagged ‘Floral Parades’

In 1871 King Kamehameha proclaimed June 11th to be King Kamehameha day in honor of his Great Grandfather Kamehameha the Great who united the Hawai’i’an Island in 1810 and since 1872 several days in June are set aside to celebrate with floral parades, concerts, arts and crafts, and feasting on all of the Hawai’i’an Islands. It can be rather dizzying digesting the diversity of events involved since each Island has its traditions while each Island is aware that people can’t be in two places at once and so one has plenty of excuses to visit all the islands in search of that perfect way to honor King Kamehameha the First.

First up, appropriately enough on the Big Island of Hawai’i Thursday June 11th offers a variety of treats; “Come to the northern tip of the Big Island to honor the legendary Hawaiian king in his North Kohala birthplace. A day long cultural festival with floral parade, ceremony draping the King’s statue in lei, hula, food booths and musical performances mark this special day. 8 a.m – 4 p.m. in Kapaau and Hawi. Call (808) 884-5840 or 895-3168.”

Then on June 11th 2009 it is off to Hilo for The Kamehameha Festival which “features a ho‘olaule‘a with top Hawaii recording artists, hula halau, and various cultural presentations. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Moku Ola (Coconut Island) in Hilo. Free. A drug, alcohol and smoke-free event. For information contact Pua at (808) 989-4844 or visit www.kamehamehafestival.org.

Friday June 12th land on O’ahu and find your way to the Honolulu Hale for a concert by The Royal Hawai’i’an Band followed by the draping of The King Kamehameha 1st statue “with 13-foot floral tributes, which are created on site throughout the day by volunteers. Music and Hula performances add to the colorful display; a photographer’s delight.”

Saturday June 13th poses a few logistical complications forcing you to choose between flying to Kailua-Kona on The Big Island or to Lahaina, Maui for their wonderful parade & party or opting for O’ahu and its colorful festivals.  A colorful floral parade through Lahaina Town at 10 am features Pa`u riders on horses decorated with exotic island flowers representing each major island. The community parade includes marching bands, floats and more, all honoring King Kamehameha the Great’s families. An awards ceremony and arts festival take place at Banyan Tree Park with island food and crafts, pa`u dressing and riding demonstrations, plus Hawaiian entertainment. Free admission; 9am to 5pm.”

Honolulu’s World famous celebration begins downtown at ‘the statue’ with a parade at “9:30 A.M. – 93rd Annual King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade.  Colorful floral floats, glamorous Pa`u riders, outstanding marching bands traverse the streets of Honolulu beginning at King and Richards Streets, Punchbowl Street, onto Ala Moana Boulevard, merging into Kalakaua Avenue, ending at the Queen Kapiolani Park. Parade awards presentation to follow.”

Those that choose to skip the parade (“aw, why”) can start celebrating at 9AM at Queen Kapiolani Park with “Na Hana No`eau o Ka Pākīpika – Artistic Endeavors of the Pacific, where you’ll find entertainment, food booths, arts, crafts demonstrations and displays of Polynesia.”

Naturally there is a third option; stay on The Big Island and enjoy a parade through the heart of Kona followed by one heck of a Ho’alaule’a in Kona check out this site for further info: http://paieakamehameha.org/

Finally why pau partying on Saturday June 13th when there is perfectly plausible reason to fly off to The Big Island on Sunday June 14th: “Hulihee Palace Concert. This historic Kona landmark presents a free concert featuring the Hulihee Palace Band and the Merrie Monarchs chorale, remembering King Kamehameha I who established the Hawaiian Kingdom. Post-concert, stroll Kailua village enjoying cafes, restaurants, local musicians and artists. Starts 4 p.m. on the lawn overlooking Kailua Bay. (808) 329-1877 or www.huliheepalace.org.”

So, Honor King Kamehameha The First all throughout June 2009 and remember, FLOWERS are a RENEWABLE RESOURCE so Lei Someone Each and Every Day!

Image courtesy of http://www.pbase.com/aukipa/kingkamehameha