Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 25, Number 6, 1 June 2008 — KAMEHAMEHA DAY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

KAMEHAMEHA DAY

■ une 11 honors King Kamehameha the Great, I who first unified the islands in 1795. The eelebration was estabhshed in 1871 by the ruler's great-grandson Kamehameha V and continues today with islandwide festivities full of cultural traditions harkening back to ancient Hawaiian times.

KOHALA Celebrations in Kohala are especially vibrant, as the region is the birthplace of King Kamehameha I and the area where inhabitants onee protected him at birth from the death threats of a rival ruler. The Kohala Hawaiian Civic

Club has organized the following events. Free unless noted. Draping of the Statue: 8 a.m„ Wed., June 1 1 . Plenty lovely lei will be created for the ceremonial draping of the Kamehameha statue in Kohala, home to the original of the four commissioned statues.

Holokū Pageant: 5 p.m., Tues„ June 10, Kohala Cultural Center in Hāwī. Women portray Hawaiian royalty by modeling the vintage formal dresses that feature gracefully long trains. $15. North Kohala Celebration: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Wed„ June 1 1 . The region's small towns pay a huge tribute to their famed favorite son with a traditional pā'ū parade that winds from Kapa'au to Hawi, where the celebration continues at the Kohala Cultural Center, site of an all-day ho'olaule'a. 808-884-5000 or www.kameha mehadaycelebrationday.org. HILO Proudly presented by the Royal Order of Kamehameha I, the Hilo Kamehameha festival honors the memory of Hawai'i's great ruler with a cultural celebration on Mokuola (Coconut Island); 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Wed., June 6. Includes exhibition performances and contests in both ha'a koa (dance of the warrior) and oli (chant). Enjoy live music by Hawai'i's top recording artists including Ledward Ka'apana, Diana Aki and Darren Benitez. Plus hula, food and games. Free. 808-989-4944 or www.kameha mehafestival.org. HONOLULU The late Keahi Allen, a beloved Hawaiian cultural specialist, was for years the guiding light for the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission, and this year's statewide celebrations are dedicated to her memory. Her daughter, B .J. Allen, is among those helping to perpetuate the festivities. All events are free. Musical tribute to Kamehameha: 3:30 p.m„ Fri„ June 6 at Ali'iōlani Hale, Honolulu Civic Center. Enjoy a performance by the Royal Hawaiian Band.

Statue Decoration Ceremonies: 4 p.m„ June 6 at Ali'iōlani Hale. The Honolulu statue of King Kamehameha I was the site of the first leidraping ceremony in 1901. Contemporary ceremonies are a photographer's delight with floral tributes, whieh are created throughout the day by volunteers, plus music and hula performances. 92nd Aiinual King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade: 9:30 a.m„ Sat„ June 7. Colorful floral floats, pā'ū riders and marching bands make their way from Punehhowl St. to Kapi'olani Park. Parade awards presentation to follow at the park with a festival craft fair by Nā Hana No'eau o Ka Pākīpika - "Artistic Endeavors of the Pacific." Includes all-day entertainment, food booths, arts, crafts demonstrations and displays of Polynesia. 586-0333 or www.hawaii.gov/dags/king_ kamehameha_commission. 35th aniiual King Kamehameha Ilula Competition 6 p.m„ Fri„ June 20, and 1 p.m„ Sat„ June 21 A hula competition with unique categories for mixed male and female performances, kūpuna wāhine and individual chanters. It's also unique for its intemalional attendance with as many as 500 hula dancers expected from Hawai'i, the U.S. continent and Japan. Neal Blaisdell Center Arena. Fees. 586-0333 or www.hawaii.gov/dags/king_ kamehameha_commission. MAUI Cultural Craft Fair: 9 a.m„ Sat„ June 14 at Banyan Tree Park in Lahaina. Aiinual King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade: 10 a.m„ Sat„ June 14. Begins at Kenui Street to Kamehameha Iki Park. An awards presentation will follow. 586-0333 or www.hawaii.gov/dags/king_ kamehameha_commission. E

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