King Kamehameha Day in Hawaii

Kamehameha Festival is part of the larger Kamehameha Day celebration that was first established in 1871 as a national holiday of the Kingdom of Hawai‘i. Kamehameha Day was created to honor the memory of Kamehameha the Great (c. 1758-1819) who united the Hawaiian Islands in 1810 to became Hawai‘i’s first King.

Today the Festival continues to pay tribute to Kamehameha and acts to preserve and perpetuate the Hawaiian culture. The Festival features traditional Hawaiian dance, music, chant, practices, arts, and crafts that are enjoyed by thousands of island residents and visitors from around the world. Proudly presented by the Royal Order of Kamehameha I, Māmalahoa (Hilo Chapter), the Festival takes place every Kamehameha Day (June 11) in Hilo, Moku O Keawe (Island of Hawai‘i) on Mokuola (Island of Life). A day of Aloha for the entire family the Festival is free and open to the public and remains an alcohol and smoke free event.
Source:www.kamehamehafestival.org