E hoʻolauleʻa pū mai! Celebrate Kamehameha Day with us!
SAVE THE DATE: Join us immediately following the 2026 Kamehameha Day Parade for a Day at the Palace and Ho‘olaule‘a on the beautiful grounds of Hulihe‘e! In the heart of the Historic Kailua Village, experience the rich traditions of Hawai‘i with a full day of live Hawaiian music, hālau hula, cultural demonstrations, and a variety of food and retail vendors. Bring your ‘ohana to share a day that honors culture, community, and the legacy of Kamehameha.
Self-guided palace tours are FREE for kama‘āina!
The roads close at 8:00am and the parade will start promptly at 9:00am along Ali‘i Drive.
E mākaukau! Get ready!
We recommend everyone dress comfortably and casually. Out of respect for our ali‘i, torsos must be fully covered before entering the Palace Museum. Sunblock, hats, and visors are highly recommended while enjoying the festival. Beach chairs and blankets welcomed, personal coolers not allowed.
Hanohano Huliheʻe 2026: Festival Entry & Palace Admission
Admission into the festival is FREE!
Admission into the Palace Museum for Self-Guided Tours are as follows:
$10.00 General
$5.00 Youth (5-12yrs)
FREE Children (4 yrs & Under)
FREE Kama‘āina (with valid ID)
*Admission is not redeemable for another date.
Hanohano Huliheʻe 2026: Hoʻolauleʻa Program
10:45am Wehena: Opening Protocol Kumu Keala Ching
11:00am Hālau Ka Pā Hula Nā Wai Iwi Ola Kumu Keala Ching
11:30am Pāʻani Pila
12:15am Hālau Maunalei Kumu Lelehua Bray
12:45pm Little Miss Kona Coffee Organization Mini Miss & Little Miss
1:00pm Nā Kāne Weldon Kekauoha & Keola Grace
2:15pm Hālau Nā ʻĀnela E Hula Ana Kumu ʻĀnela Bannister
Hanohano Huliheʻe 2026: Kaiaulu Market & Vendors
| Keolanani Flowers & Massage | Palaka Princess |
| The Eclectic Craftsman | Maui Rooted |
| My Little Lemon | Celebrate Aloha |
| Island Style Birria | Hawai’i Pacific Parks Association |
| Takoyatea | FreedForm Hawaii |
| Drippy’s BBQ, INC. | Sweet Kamfections |
| Thai Nong Khai Express | Hanabata Days 808 |
| Salty Seas Art | Soda2Art |
| Goodie Guri Hawai’i | Ola Kau a Kau |
| Kikenei Hawaii | Kailua Kona Library |
| Kaʻawaloa Mauka Creations LLC | Native Hawaiian Student Services |
| Kahuna Products Hawai’i | Pu’ukoholā Heiau National Historic Site |
| Jerome’s French Pacific Street Food | U.S. Small Business Administration |
| Da Braddahz Grindz | Pūlama ia Kona Heritage Council |
He Mau Manaʻo Hoʻonuiʻike: On December 22, 1871, King Kamehameha V proclaimed a national holiday to honor and celebrate his grandfather and the father of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Originally, the people of Hawai‘i wanted to mark the legacy of Lot Kapuāiwa (Kamehameha V) on his birthday, December 11. Being the humble ali‘i that he was, he opted to honor his grandfather instead and pushed the holiday as far away from his (Lot’s) birthday as possible, hence the arbitrary date of June 11. Thus, June 11, 1872, was the very first King Kamehameha Day holiday ever celebrated.
King Kamehameha I’s brother-in-law, Royal Governor John Adams Kuakini, built Hulihe‘e as his home and completed it in 1838. Kamehameha I was married to Kuakini’s sisters: Ka‘ahumanu, Nāmāhāna Pi‘ia, and Kalākua Kaheiheimālie.
Princess Ruth Ke‘elikōlani was the granddaughter of Kamehameha I. She was also the hānai daughter-in-law to Kuakini, through her marriage to his hānai son William Pitt Leleiohoku. Ke‘elikōlani made Hulihe‘e her chief residence, but preferred to sleep in a hale pili on the grounds.
On Kamehameha Day, June 11, 1928, the Daughters of Hawai‘i opened Hulihe‘e Palace as a historic house museum, having restored the home with original royal regalia and furnishings.