A Tribute to Hawaii’s First King

The famous and most recognized 8-1/2 foot bronze King Kamehameha Statue majestically stands in Honolulu, Hawaii on the island of Oahu in front of the home of the Hawaii State Supreme Court (Aliiolani Hale). Dedicated in 1883, the statue was commissioned in honor of King Kamehameha I; also known as King Kamehameha the Great who was the first of the alii (line of rulers) of the Hawaiian Islands. Downtown Honolulu is rich in Hawaiian history and is the location of some of Hawaii’s most famous sites. The Iolani Palace, Kawaiahao Church, State Capitol and Mission Houses Museum which are also highlighted on Poly Ad’s historic Honolulu city tours are within a few blocks radius. Every June and only in Hawaii, local residents joyously celebrate King Kamehameha with a state holiday on June 11 called King Kamehameha Day or Kam Day. The multi-day celebration includes a lei (necklace of flowers) draping ceremony where beautiful hand-made leis are draped on the outstretched arms of the King as well as a Floral Parade which begins at the Iolani Palace and continues to the base of Diamond Head in Waikiki. Floats, horse-riding units and vehicles, all decorated with beautiful, local flowers participate. King Kamehameha’s iconic statue is viewed on several Polynesian Adventure Oahu tours including Pearl Harbor and Honolulu Highlights, USS Missouri, Arizona and Punchbowl Cemetery, the Pacific Aviation Museum and Arizona and on the One Day Flyaway Pearl Harbor and Honolulu Highlights Tours originating from Maui, Kauai and Hawaii Island.