HONOLULU (KHON2) - We are here in front of Aliiolani Hale with the kick-off leading to King Kamehameha Day.
Now, King Kamehameha Day is on June 11th, held every year on that day.
It is not his birthday but a day that was designated every year.
I am with Kumu Hula Kimo Keaulana and Commissioner of the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission to learn more.
Uncle, you are known as someone who is very knowledgeable able lei so thank you very much for sharing.
Tell us, what is expected with this lei draping and the parade that is to follow tomorrow?
“The Kamehameha Day holiday is the only holiday that comes to us from the Hawaiian Kingdom, and it was started by King Kamehameha V whose birthday is actually on December 11th,” says Keaulana.
“But he didn’t want to celebrate his birthday. He wanted to commemorate his grandfather. And he designated June 11th because the weather is better than on December 11th and it’s a beautiful day in Hawaii Nei. This afternoon, we are going to be decorating the statue in front of Aliiolani Hale and this had been going on for about 100 years and it was started by the Royal Order of Kamehameha I and the other ahahui, the royal societies who wanted to give him lei, and so they did it in grand style. And you will see that his right arm is outstretched as a symbol of peace and kindness. So, we like to put the lei on his right arm and it’s our lovely ladies of the Ahahui Kaahumanu that are busy stringing thousands of yellow plumeria for that right arm. And the yellow plumeria seems to be our favorite because of its color and its sweetness and it holds up pretty well. But that doesn’t mean we are going expect lei other than the plumeria because we are not hookano, we don’t. Any kind of floral tribute for the king is welcomed and beautiful, and not only flowers. Leaves too, different kinds of ferns, kukui leaves, anything done in good taste is good but nothing artificial, never.”
I was going to ask.
This is a hookupu, an offering, to King Kamehameha in this celebration.
Are there any boundaries?
What is acceptable and what is not acceptable as an offering?
“Well, we don’t accept any kind of food or drink as it attracts insects too,” says Keaulana.
“And we do not accept any kind of crystals or mystical kinds of offerings that people might be well-meaning to offer but that’s not Hawaiian. So, we are just accepting things that are traditionally in good taste.”
Lastly Uncle, what is the significance of lei in Hawaii?
“Well, you know, a lei is like an embrace,” says Keaulana.
“Like a hug. You know, it hugs you around your neck and it falls over your heart and that is what is really is. It’s just a beautiful encircling of Aloha.”
Again, the celebration here today is going throughout this afternoon but this is just the start leading up to tomorrow.
Tomorrow, Saturday, is going to be the 107th King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade and if you want to catch it in the comfort of your home, you watch our live coverage on KHII.
The broadcast starts at 8:30am, the parade starts at 9 a.m.
For more information on the King Kamehameha Celebration, click here.