Join us after the parade at Hulihe‘e!

Join us for the annual King Kamehameha Day Ho‘olaule‘a with Hawaiian music, hula performances, plenty of ‘ono grindz, and local artisans and vendors! The Ho‘olaule‘a at Hulihe‘e Palace in Historic Kailua Village will begin at approximately 11:00 AM following the King Kamehameha Day Celebration Parade on Saturday, June 10, 2023. The roads close at 8 AM and the parade will start at 9 AM along Ali‘i Drive.

Festival Details

All proceeds from the Ho‘olaule‘a go towards the historic preservation, maintenance and operations of the Palace and grounds.

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.

Festival Entry & Palace Tours

Entry to the festival is free. Admission into the Palace Museum for Self-Guided Palace Tours are $8 General, $3 Youth (5-12yrs), $1 Children (4 yrs & Under), and $5 Kama‘āina (with valid ID). Admission is not redeemable for another date.

Entertainment

After the parade, join us for the following entertainment lineup with emcee Ben Samson:

11 AM Kamakani o ka Moku ‘Aina is a Polynesian Performing Arts Academy under the direction of Sefa and Victoria Mikaele. Through the performing arts, KMA encourages the next generation to VALUE, EMBRACE, and EXPRESS the beauty of culture.

11:45 AM Micah DeAguiar is a Hawaiian musician from South Kona.

12:30 PM Te ‘E‘a o Te Turama is committed to the perpetuation and preservation of the culture, history and heritage of Hawaiʻi, Tahiti, New Zealand and Samoa. Through the cultural practice of education, activities and presentations, they strive to connect with families and individuals in achieving cultural awareness.

1 PM Haunani Wehrsig is a soloist musician in Kona performing contemporary Hawaiian and local music.

1:30 PM Hālau Kaʻeaikahelelani is an immersion school of Hawaiian arts and culture, led by Kumu Hula Kahelelani Alohikea-Smith & Kumu Hula Kaʻea Lyons-Yglesias. The hālau brings people together through their shared desire to learn and live the cultural foundations of hula, community, culture and humanity.

2:15 PM TBA

Vendors

We’ve gathered a roster of local vendors, artisans, and food purveyors, all whose products and services celebrate Hawaiʻi’s rich heritage. Checkout some of our vendors below, we look forward to seeing you at the Hoʻolauleʻa!

Calling All Artisan and Food Vendors!

We still have space available for local vendors, artisans, and services, handmade and locally made items, and food vendors, all whose products and services celebrate Hawai‘i’s rich heritage. If you are or know of a local vendor or artisan and are interested in a booth in our mākeke, or are a food vendor interested in serving food at the Ho‘olaule‘a, it isn’t too late to reserve a spot! Space is limited and filling quickly, so submit your application today–it’s quick and easy and takes less than 5 minutes!

FUN FACT:  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 Kamehameha Day holiday ever celebrated.

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.

Brought to you by the Daughters of Hawai‘i in partnership with the King Kamehameha Day Celebration Parade, Kailua-Kona, with funding from the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority’s Community Enrichment Program presented in partnership with the Hawai‘i Visitors & Convention Bureau and the Island of Hawai‘i Visitors Bureau.