VIDEO: Kamehameha statue festooned with lei in Kapa’au
June 12, 2010 – Kapaau, Hawaii
Video by David Corrigan
On Friday morning, the North Kohala community gathered to celebrate Kamehameha Day by adorning the original, famous statue of the king residing in Kapa’au, by his storied birthplace.
30 foot lei were draped around the cherished landmark, as members of the Royal Order of Kamehameha, the Kaahumanu Society, Kamehameha Schools, and other organizations paid dutiful homage to the memory of the icon who united the Hawaiian islands, 200 years ago.
The small town enjoys a huge turnout every year, as the grassroots celebration also includes a floral parade featuring the pa’u riders representing the different islands of Hawaii, and a ho’olaulea in the nearby Kamehameha Park.
This year, the holiday was recognized by President Barack Obama, who declared June 11 to be King Kamehameha Day in the United States of America.
In this video, the unique history of the statue is explained, as the likeness of the king took a long, unusual road to its current place in North Kohala.
Related Video
facebook comments:
Recent Comments