King Kamehameha I Day is a state holiday in Hawaiʻi to honor King Kamehameha I (1758–1819), the first monarch to unite the Hawaiian Islands under a single rule. Known as Kamehameha the Great, he is celebrated for his leadership, vision, and contributions to the foundation of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi.

Table of Contents

1. When is King Kamehameha I Day?
2. The History of King Kamehameha I Day?
3. What Do People Do on This Day?
4. Who is King Kamehameha I?

When is King Kamehameha I Day?

King Kamehameha I Day is observed annually on June 11 in the state of Hawaiʻi. The following is the list of King Kamehameha I Day.

The History of King Kamehameha I Day?

King Kamehameha I Day is a state holiday in Hawaiʻi to honor King Kamehameha I, the first monarch to unite the Hawaiian Islands.

The holiday was established by King Kamehameha V, a great-grandson of Kamehameha I, to honor his ancestor's legacy and achievements. It was one of the first state holidays to be formally recognized in Hawaiʻi.

The first King Kamehameha Day was celebrated on June 11, 1872, with grand festivities, including processions, feasts, and traditional Hawaiian games.

While there is no definitive historical record explaining the specific choice of June 11, it likely coincides with the timing of traditional Makahiki celebrations and other significant Hawaiian cultural events.

After Hawaiʻi became a U.S. state in 1959, King Kamehameha I Day was retained as a public holiday and continues to be celebrated as an important cultural and historical observance.

What Do People Do on This Day?

On King Kamehameha I Day, people across Hawaiʻi honor the legacy of King Kamehameha the Great with cultural, ceremonial, and community-focused activities.

Vibrant parades are held in various locations, featuring the floats adorned with tropical flowers, and marching bands playing traditional Hawaiian music.

Hawaiian crafts, foods, and games are featured at local events, bringing communities together in celebration. Traditional Hawaiian games like canoe races, spear-throwing, and other cultural sports are sometimes part of the festivities.

Schools, museums, and cultural organizations host educational programs about King Kamehameha's leadership, the Law of the Splintered Paddle, and the unification of the islands.

Organizations use the day to advocate for the preservation of Hawaiian language, traditions, and history.

Who is King Kamehameha I?

King Kamehameha I (1758 – 1819), also known as Kamehameha the Great, was the founder and first ruler of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi. He is celebrated for unifying the Hawaiian Islands under one rule in 1810, establishing peace and stability during a tumultuous time in Hawaiian history.

Born in Kohala on the island of Hawaiʻi in 1758, Kamehameha was of high-ranking lineage, with connections to ruling chiefs.

Kamehameha used both diplomacy and warfare to unify the islands. He was a skilled warrior and tactician, employing Western military technology, including guns and cannons, acquired from foreign traders.

By 1810, he had successfully brought all the islands under his rule, creating the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi. He established a centralized monarchy and a system of governance that balanced traditional Hawaiian values with new influences.

Kamehameha passed away in 1819 in Kailua-Kona on the island of Hawaiʻi. His burial place remains a secret, following ancient Hawaiian customs to preserve the sanctity of his remains.