A L O H A !
Kamehameha,
called 'The Great' and 'The Lonely One'
was born between
1748 and 1761
on the island of Hawaii.
In 1871 his grandson,
King
Kamehameha V,
designated - by royal Proclamation-
that June 11 of each year
was to be a perpetual holiday here in the isles
to honor the life and accomplishments
of Hawaii's founding statesman,
warrior, conqueror,
and king.
warrior, conqueror,
and king.
Kamehameha Schools Letter Girls |
It is said that Kamehameha
fulfilled ancient traditional prophecies
of a high Chief who would
vanquish all other chiefs
to become the greatest of all in
Hawai`i.
His childhood was spent in seclusion with
foster parents.
foster parents.
In accordance with a
strikingly Arthurian legend,
strikingly Arthurian legend,
the boy Kamehameha lifted
the 5,000 pound Naha stone
the 5,000 pound Naha stone
at age 14,
the only person ever to do so.
the only person ever to do so.
The legend states that the one who lifts it
was the prophesied
warrior
who would unite all of the islands.
who would unite all of the islands.
The Naha Stone rests today
in front of the Hilo Public Library
in front of the Hilo Public Library
on the island of Hawaiʻi.
After a stormy period of contention,
the island of Hawai`i was under unified rule
by 1791.
Kamehameha was favored by the old gods
in a clear, strategic way,
when a rival chief's warriors
on their way to attack,
were overtaken by a flowing lava outbreak!
The imprint of their feet
may be seen yet today
in the hardened lava flow.
may be seen yet today
in the hardened lava flow.
Members of Royal Societies |
By 1810,
the last of the chiefs
of the islands of Maui,
O`ahu and Kaua`i
the last of the chiefs
of the islands of Maui,
O`ahu and Kaua`i
relinquished sovereignty
to Kamehameha.
to Kamehameha.
The Kingdom of Hawai`i was born
For the rest of his
life,
Kamehameha I wisely ruled
a dizzy-ingly transitional period
in peace.
Kamehameha I wisely ruled
a dizzy-ingly transitional period
in peace.
He established Hawaii
as a recognized nation,
launched trade with other countries,
as a recognized nation,
launched trade with other countries,
introduced new animal and plant life,
promoted agriculture
and fostered industry.
promoted agriculture
and fostered industry.
Daughters of Hawaii |
The
"Napoleon of the Pacific"
died in Kailua-Kona
on the island of Hawai`i
in 1819.
died in Kailua-Kona
on the island of Hawai`i
in 1819.
The first Kamehameha Day
was observed on June 11, 1872,
was observed on June 11, 1872,
with horse races,
velocipede, sack, wheelbarrow,
and foot races too!
velocipede, sack, wheelbarrow,
and foot races too!
2012 marks the 140th
anniversary
of the only United States holiday
that honors a royal.
that honors a royal.
This year's 96th annual
floral parade
floral parade
began at ʻIolani Palace
in downtown Honolulu,
in downtown Honolulu,
moved up Ala Moana Boulevard
and into Waikīkī,
and into Waikīkī,
ending in a big party
at Kapiʻolani Park.
at Kapiʻolani Park.
[incidentally, June 11
is also the anniversary
of this great Park's dedication]
of this great Park's dedication]
Traditional royal paʻu
riders
represent a time
represent a time
when royal's on horseback
toured their realm,
toured their realm,
visiting the people.
Women display 19th century
riding gowns,
riding gowns,
skirts draped in pa`u style
cunningly fastened
with Kukui Nuts!
with Kukui Nuts!
Riders are bedecked with lei
and other floral arrangements,
as are their mounts.
Hawaiian cowboys,
called 'Paniolo'
were roping & riding
before many places
considered 'western'
on the continent!
What would country music
BE
without the twangy
Hawaiian Guitar?!
Some Paniolo
became famous rodeo
stars in the 'States.'
This fellow
plays an important role
in the equestrian parade!
Woop!
There IT IS !
The Chinese
were early immigrants
to the Kingdom.
It wouldn't be Hawaii
without the 'Celestials'
their food, work ethic,
and culture.
What a day to be a happy kid
- of ANY age!
Some of us have to
learn
to be happy
as we grow
older
Thanks for visiting
and celebrating with us!
Take Away Fun - Leave a Comment
Warmly, cloudia
!!PARADE VIDEO BELOW!!
21 comments:
Whow, thats very nice too see
thanks for sharing this wonderful serie.
Greetings, Joop
Amazing story of 'The Great'!
Everybody loves a parade...I personally loved the garland around the shit can. That's one way to ensure the horse shit doesn't stink.
Such an interesting post Cloudia, thankyou. x
What a great celebration and tradition! Thanks for sharing this with us all!
Have a great week !
Great pictures, Cloudia! The parade first thing made me smile. My favorites are the kids in the covered wagon, the Chinese model mother on the cell phone, and the "most important" people in the equestrian parade.
A very happy Kamehameha Day to you Cloudia, thank you for showing the colourful, vibrant celebrations so that we can see how Hawaii celebrates it's 'royalty'.
I was just out your way (Kauai) and now miss it so much. What gorgeous and wonderful islands Hawaii has!
I feel like I attended the parade, which looks like it was lots of fun. Thanks for the history and the pics. I know you had a fun day.
Lovely pics. Looks like fun was had by all! It's been ages since I've been to a parade.
Thanks Cowboys & Girls!
that is quite a history
Lovely festival.
wow thanks for showing us all the sights...it is pretty cool how it mirrors the arthurian legend as well...aloha from va!
What an island where comfort does parade ! Thank you for letting us be part very much. Please have you all a good Wednesday.
Fantastic. An aside about the stone legend says Kamehameha lifted. Vandals scrawled it with graffitti a while ago, and a friend of ours did a great job of cleaning it up. You would never know now that it had been desecrated.
Hmm. I should take a picture of it and post it.
nice pics. Did you get to shake hands with the mayor, too? I give him credit for walking the entire parade route.
How gorgeous! What a fabulous parade, Cloudia!
Beautiful colors and parade! Thanks for sharing these lovely pics and day! Cheers!
What a lovely tribute, and as usual wonderful photographs.
(The footprints in lava made me squirm though).
what a great parade of Visitors today!
Thanks Dears
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