King Kamehameha Day

[CabinForFour]

We will be in Hawaii for King Kamehameha's Day (June 11). We will actually be in Kona on the 11th but on Oahu the Saturdays before and after. Should we be aware of any particular festivities for this holiday? I've searched online and can't find much information, so I thought I could go to the real experts. :) Any must-see events? Any traffic problems to be aware of? Other suggestions or comments are welcome.

[DonahCBrown]

We will be in Hawaii for King Kamehameha's Day (June 11). We will actually be in Kona on the 11th but on Oahu the Saturdays before and after. Should we be aware of any particular festivities for this holiday? I've searched online and can't find much information, so I thought I could go to the real experts. :) Any must-see events? Any traffic problems to be aware of? Other suggestions or comments are welcome.

 

Rent a car and head to the northern tip of the island to Hawi/Kapa'au. There will be a parade and the King Kamehameha statue in Kapa'au will be draped with specially made lei, then, usually, there's a community get together called a ho'olaulea - basically a big block party type affair with food booths done by the local churches and non-profits, sometimes crafts, live music, etc.

 

Honolulu will have a big parade and will also decorate their statue - which is identical to the one in Kapa'au - but the one in Kapa'au is the original. It was lost at sea near the Falkland Islands during transport from Italy where it was cast, so a new one was made up. Some years later, the original was salvaged, and so it was put up near King Kamehameha's birthplace in North Kohala.

 

Our statue was refurbished a few years ago, but before that, it was the custom to repaint it every year for the birthday celebrations. Some guys from the community would get house paint and re-do the red and yellows of his feather cloak and malo. It is still painted, but not like that any more.

 

I think there's a parade in Kona as well, but the 'real deal' is up in North Kohala. Just MHO - as that's where I live...

[suziehmkr]

How fun that you will be there for that day! What a great experience that would be. :)

[simonv]

Do go to the one in Kapa'au as Donna suggests. It'll be one of the highlight of your trip. I've been to one in Lihue, Kauai, and it's wonderful. A real local affair for real people. Nothing tourist about it. Leis from different islands are beautiful.

[HiloSunshine]

Donna's plan is your best bet. For any other information on whats happening in Hawaii, just go to the gohawaii website. For Kamehameha Day activities on the islands, visit

 

http://www.gohawaii.com/multisearch?bday=28&bmonth=06&byear=2007&eday=28&emonth=05&eyear=2007&q=kamehameha&sort=date&types=events

[DonahCBrown]

Donna's plan is your best bet. For any other information on whats happening in Hawaii, just go to the gohawaii website. For Kamehameha Day activities on the islands, visit

 

http://www.gohawaii.com/multisearch?bday=28&bmonth=06&byear=2007&eday=28&emonth=05&eyear=2007&q=kamehameha&sort=date&types=events

 

 

Here's their write up on the North Kohala activities:

 

NORTH KOHALA KAMEHAMEHA DAY CELEBRATION

Jun 11, 2007

 

Kamehameha Day in the birthplace of the King. This year's celebration includes all-day ...

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Hawaii's Big Island

 

Akoni Pule Highway

Kapa'au, HI 96755

(808) 889-6238 Events

Celebrate Kamehameha Day in the birthplace of the King. This year's celebration includes all-day festivities on June 11th, with statue ceremonies and lei-draping of the King's original statue in Kapa‘au at 8 a.m. , floral pa‘u parade starting at 9 a,m, ho‘olaule‘a after parade till 4 p.m. with food, hula and award-winning Hawaiian musicians . All events are free. The ho'olaule'a is held at Kohala Cultural Center in Hawi on Hawi Hill Road. Floral Parade down Akoni Pule Hwy from Kapa'au to Hawi at 9 a.m. More information email at: info@kamehamehadayscelebration.org.

 

 

It will be hard to make it up here from Kona, unless you're on a land based trip, in time for the statue ceremony - I'd forgotten how early they start - but you can see the statue with its lei, and go to the ho'olaulea - that will go on pretty much all day. Most likely one of the musicians featured will be Kohala's own John Keawe, who is featured on the first Hawaiian music Grammy that was ever awarded. If you like guitar music - pick up one (or more!) of John's slack key instrumental cds. Lots of the gift shops, as well as Borders, carry them. (Shameless plug for my friend but he's really really talented and a very sweet guy - his wife Hope dances hula to his music a couple of time in a set and will also likely be at the ho'olaulea)

[CabinForFour]

Such wonderful information. Thanks to everyone!

[DonahCBrown]

I was just re-reading the write up about the Kamehameha Day festivities and realized that some of this was probably pretty unfamiliar to non-Hawaii residents. So, in case you are wondering what a pa'u parade is - the ladies in old Hawaii rode astride rather than side saddle, and protected their modesty with a long draped skirt that covered their legs and a good size chunk of the horse as well. The tradition has carried over into the present and there are pa'u riders in pretty much every parade here, in gorgeous costumes, with head and regular lei, and with floral decorations also for the horse. Most of the time there will be a rider and escort representing each island in the chain, in its particular colors. Really lovely and a great photo op. Some of the food booth fundraisers are usually to support the pau riders, as it isn't an inexpensive endevour.

[suziehmkr]

Donna - you are a wealth of information - so I thought I would throw this out to you.

 

How hard is it to get tickets to watch the Merrie Monarch festival? I would consider a future trip around it - but just curious if it is hard to get tickets.

[ronrythm]

How hard is it to get tickets to watch the Merrie Monarch festival? I would consider a future trip around it - but just curious if it is hard to get tickets.

Aloha Tina

Here's a link to ordering tickets for ths year, but from some of our performers, I understand it's the same every year. It may help answer this. Notice only 2 per person. You & DD and leave DH at the hotel? Another consideration might be how much more flights & hotel are going to run for Easter Week.

Enjoy

Ron

[DonahCBrown]

Ron's link didn't seem to come through. Here it is again:

 

http://www.merriemonarchfestival.org/ticket_info.html

 

It isn't easy to get tickets - earlier is better. It is even harder to find hotel space. I'd suggest either the Naniloa, or, for a more 'local' experience, the Dolphin Bay, or one of the B & Bs in the Hilo area. Hula halau (groups/troupes/schools) come from all over the world to compete and it is a really big deal - the Super Bowl of Hula more or less - and the town gets pretty busy, so plan well ahead and book early.

[DonahCBrown]

Couldn't resist sharing this link too:

 

http://www.bigisland.org/activities-cultural/470/pau-riders

 

In the interests of providing more information than anyone wants or needs...:D

[suziehmkr]

Thanks Donna & Ron.... This would definitely be something a couple of years down the road since our next two vacations are already planned. The good thing is that we can stay in Kailua-Kona in our timeshare, like we are this December and I can book that 13 months out. Hmmmm definitely something to look at. I know the drive would be long each day... but considering I can stay there for the entire week for less than $100, it is worth it to me.

 

DH probably would prefer to stay at the condo. :D Actually - I bet he would just tell me to bring DD and he would stay home. He wouldn't be getting much attention from me anyway. hee hee I would be looking forward to Kahiko day, most of all. It is my favorite. They are much less expensive then I thought they would be. The Kane competition that I am going to on Saturday night is $25 for general admission... (a fundraiser for AHA) Kumu Mark's kane are outstanding!

 

Since I dance here on the mainland, I know this would one heck of an experience to be able to see in person.

 

Mahalo!

[beachchick]

I was just re-reading the write up about the Kamehameha Day festivities and realized that some of this was probably pretty unfamiliar to non-Hawaii residents. So, in case you are wondering what a pa'u parade is - the ladies in old Hawaii rode astride rather than side saddle, and protected their modesty with a long draped skirt that covered their legs and a good size chunk of the horse as well. The tradition has carried over into the present and there are pa'u riders in pretty much every parade here, in gorgeous costumes, with head and regular lei, and with floral decorations also for the horse. Most of the time there will be a rider and escort representing each island in the chain, in its particular colors. Really lovely and a great photo op. Some of the food booth fundraisers are usually to support the pau riders, as it isn't an inexpensive endevour.

 

We went to the King Kamehameha Day parade on Maui one year. We were blown away by the glorious regalia of each island's rider and the court escorts (each rider had about four escorts). My DH got a photo of the BI court...Wow.

 

beachchick