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.
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| 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.
In accordance with a
strikingly Arthurian legend,
the boy Kamehameha lifted
the 5,000 pound Naha stone
at age 14,
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.
The Naha Stone rests today
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.
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| Members of Royal Societies |
By 1810,
the last of the chiefs
of
the islands of Maui,
O`ahu and Kaua`i
relinquished sovereignty
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.
He established Hawaii
as a recognized nation,
launched trade with other countries,
introduced new animal and plant life,
promoted
agriculture
and fostered industry.
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| Daughters of Hawaii |
The
"Napoleon of the Pacific"
died in Kailua-Kona
on the island of
Hawai`i
in 1819.
The first Kamehameha Day
was observed on June 11, 1872,
with horse races,
velocipede, sack, wheelbarrow,
and foot races too!
2012 marks the 140th
anniversary
of the only United States holiday
that
honors a royal.
This year's 96th annual
floral parade
began at ʻIolani Palace
in downtown Honolulu,
moved up Ala Moana Boulevard
and into Waikīkī,
ending in a big party
at Kapiʻolani Park.
[incidentally, June 11
is also the anniversary
of this great Park's dedication]
Traditional royal paʻu
riders
represent a time
when royal's on horseback
toured their realm,
visiting the people.
Women display 19th century
riding gowns,
skirts draped in pa`u style
cunningly fastened
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!!
