King Kamehameha I was remembered yesterday as a great warrior, statesmen and leader of the Hawaiian people at a parade held in his honor in Lihu’e. Many of the thousands of spectators on the parade route through Lihu’e said they
King Kamehameha I was remembered yesterday as a great warrior, statesmen and leader of the Hawaiian people at a parade held in his honor in Lihu’e.
Many of the thousands of spectators on the parade route through Lihu’e said they not only wanted to take in the pageantry of the occasion, but to pay respect to a “great Hawaiian who brings pride to Hawaiians.”
King Kamehameha, who lived from 1795-1819, is known primarily for uniting all the Hawaiian Islands under one ruler.
“I am not Hawaiian, but I know who he was from when I was one young boy,” said one Japanese man. “He is a major part of Hawaii’s history.”
The parade, which started at 10 a.m., was one of several parades held across the state.
The display of colorful horsemen and horsewomen – adorned in leis – rode astride similarly garbed show horses was the high point of the parade.
The Kaua’i parade procession included an honorary King Kamehameha, portrayed by Justin Keolukai Burgess, and his court, Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono, several horseback units, floats, decorated vehicles, the Kapa’a High School Junior ROTC color guard and several Native Hawaiian organizations.
Janice Naea of Kalaheo said the parade was one of 20 she has attended during the last 25 years to remember Kamehameha, “our first king.”
If it had not been for him, there would not have been a “Hawaiian kingdom,” she said, adding that when people talk about “Hawaiian pride, they think of him.”
Mary Lou Kai of O’ahu said she has attended at least 30 parades for the same reason.
“It is a way to keep in touch with the culture, she said. “That is the bottom line.”
Penny Troche, who is part-Hawaiian, said she was celebrating the occasion because honoring King Kamehameha “is a part of my heritage. He is a great source of pride to Hawaiians.”
Theresa Koki of Kalaheo said she brought her daughter and two friends to the parade “for the culture and for the experience.”
“My children need to understand the Hawaiian culture because we live in Hawai’i. We also need to celebrate his greatness,” Koki said.
Forty-year-old Kevin Gonzales of Lihu’e said the celebration offers a way to break down barriers among people.
“It is a time to celebrate, no matter what your race, nationality or belief,” Gonzales said.
Thelma Grothaus, a visitor from Kansas, Miss., said she wanted to take in the pageantry of the parade, but also to remember King Kamehameha for “his acts and deeds.”
At the time of his birth, the Hawaiian Islands were ruled by many leaders with different alliances and loyalties. The politics of the day created conflicts as rulers sought to expand their influence.
By 1810, King Kamehameha emerged as the sole ruler through his political and military alliances and after many fierce, bloody battles.
With his commanding physical presence, Kamehameha was said to be a brutal warrior in battle. But he also ruled with an even hand, historians say, applying laws fairly to ali’i and commoners alike.
King Kamehameha is credited with providing a stable government in which Hawaiians prospered and in which western contact and influence grew.
Kamehameha Day was established in 1871 when Kamehameha V decreed June 11 be set aside to honor his grandfather.
Each year, the 8-foot bronze and gold statue in front of the Ali’iolani Hale, across the street from Iolani Place in Honolulu – perhaps the most well known of at least three statues bearing his image – is adorned with leis.
Also participating in the parade yesterday were the Royal Order of Kamehameha and its Women’s Auxiliary, Ka’ahumanu Society, Hale O Na Ali’i, groups from Alu Like, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and Kamehameha Schools’ preschool program.
Leading the parade procession were parade grand marshals Lena and Art Palama of Kalaheo. Anna Sloggett and her son, author David Penhallow – one-time administrative assistant for former Mayor Tony Kunimura and former director of the Kaua’i museum – served as honorary marshals.
Immediately following the parade, a ho’olaule’a, or celebration, was scheduled.
Staff writer Lester Chang can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 225) and mailto:lchang@pulitzer.net
