Kamehameha Day

His Majesty Kamehameha I Welcomes you to his

HAWAII No one knows his birthday.

No one knows where his bones lie. They were hidden away by a trusted retainer in the ancient way. He was born on the Big Island, Hawaii. When he was a young chief the god Lono sailed into Kealakekua Bay (The Way of the Gods) as prophesied. But when Lono returned after the proper season needing repairs to his floating island, the Hawaiians began to suspect that he was a mere man. A fight ensued and the "god" was felled. It was the death of a great explorer, James Cook. Kamehameha came of age in a unique moment in the history of the Hawaiian people. All of his wisdom, statecraft, and military cunning would be required to maintain his blood and his ways. Appropriate human sacrifice would also be offered, as at his great Heiau (temple) that stands to this day in Kohala.

But first he had to grow up; he was one among many chiefs. Hawaii had never been unified, or had one monarch.

Legend speaks of the heavy Naha Stone in the district of his birth. It was said that anyone who could lift the stone (Arthur Style) would be a great chief. Kamehameha the youth lifted it, they say. You can see the stone today by the side of the road to Hawi.

He had the vision to unite the Big Island.

When his opponent's army marched towards battle, Pele the volcano goddess lashed out, burying the warriors and their chief in hot lava. Their footprints can also still be seen today...Here was a warrior who had god on his side inDEED!

He conquered his home island, then Maui, and finally, Oahu which became his capitol. Kauai the unconquered joined by treaty.

He took Hawaii from pre-contact days into the modern political world, establishing an independent kingdom when other native nations were being colonized all over the world.

We celebrate his special day every June, covering his statue before the Hawaii Supreme Court Building with giant lei. Saturday saw his floral parade wend from the statue down to Waikiki.

Here's some of what I saw. . .

Royal Society Ladies Keep Tradition Alive.

Mahalo (thank you) Ladies!

Youth Challenge. Troubled local kids become

AWESOME through fellowship & self discipline



Don't they look great?



Hawaiian Blood.

Precious

Royal Princesses, represent each island, wearing each island's flower.

They reenact royal visits made to each island. It was on just such a visit that Queen Lili`uokalani wrote the haunting Aloha `Oe after seeing the sweet parting of one of her court ladies and a Paniola (Hawaiian Cowboy) like this handsome specimen. Oahu = Ilima

Go on!

Click on the photos to enlarge

!

Those long dresses are actually loose fabric fastened cunningly with Kukui Nuts as "buttons." in an old style.

Horsey looks elegant in that big lei!

“Tradition does not mean that the living are dead, it means that the dead are living.”
Harold Macmillan

Hawaiian Homesteads were established by Congress in the early 20th Century.

These folks hold jobs, and live in society like all other citizens, many are US veterans, but they dwell on Hawaiian land. This simple fact keeps pride and ancient cultural treasures alive to the benefit of us all.

Bringing up the rear (of the horses!)

with shovels.

YAY!





Thanks for joining us today.

A l o h a! Cloudia