5 Facts to Know About King Kamehameha Day
If you visit Hawai'i in June, you may see vibrant flowers cover the streets of downtown Honolulu, floral parades, and exciting traditional Hawaiian dances to celebrate King Kamehameha Day. This Hawaiian holiday is to celebrate the first ruler of the Hawaiian Islands. Here are 5 fascinating facts about this statewide celebrated holiday to enrich your knowledge of Hawaiian culture, tradition, and history.
1. Honors the King Who United the Hawaiian Islands
King Kamehameha I, also known as King Kamehameha the Great, was the first ruler of the Hawaiian Islands. In 1810, he united the islands into the Kingdom of Hawai'i after years of warfare between the chiefs of each island.
2. King Kamehameha’s Birthday is not on June 11th
King Kamehameha Day is celebrated on June 11th every year, but it isn’t for the beloved king’s birthday. His grandson, King Kamehameha V, proclaimed June 11th a national holiday in 1872 to honor him and make a tribute to his legacy.
This year will be over 150 years that the State of Hawai'i has celebrated one of their legendary leaders, making it a long Hawaiian tradition.
3. King Kamehameha Day Features a Lei Draping Ceremony and Floral Parade
The holiday has several Hawaiian festivities, including Hawaiian dance performances, music, and food. One of the main celebrations is the lei draping ceremony that is the iconic kick-off that takes place with the statue in front of the Ali'iōlani Hale, or the Hawai'i State Supreme Court.
Did you know?
Some leis are as long as school busses and are draped on the King Kamehameha statue with 30-foot poles.
4. The Original King Kamehameha Statue was Lost at Sea
The King Kamehameha Statue that stands in downtown Honolulu, Hawai'i is the second statue. The first statue was forged in Florence, Italy and lost on a shipwreck near the Falkland Islands in 1880 on its way to Hawai'i. It was later recovered and placed near the north part of the Big Island, which is King Kamehameha’s birthplace.
5. Hawai'i is the only U.S. State to Honor a Monarchy
Hawai'i is the only state to have had a royal past in the country. Therefore, making King Kamehameha Day a time to celebrate a monarchy unique to Hawaiian culture and history.
Happy King Kamehameha Day!
This specific day in June is a time in Hawai'i to rejoice in King Kamehameha and the rich culture of the Hawaiian people. Learn more by immersing yourself in the many 2026 celebrations that are authentic cultural experiences around the islands, or in the Ali'i Lū'au which focuses on Hawai'i’s last monarch the onipa'a (steadfast) Queen Lili'uokalani.