Hawaiian Visions Hawaiiana

[Duke Kahanamoku 4101-B] Duke Paoa Kahina Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamoku (1890-1968) was a native Hawaiian competition swimmer; widely credited with popularizing the sport of surfing. He was born near the end of the Kingdom of Hawaii, just before the overthrow. Duke was a five-time Olympic Medalist in swimming. He was also the Sherrif of Honolulu, an actor (20 films), and a businessman. This bronze statue is located on Kuhio Beach in Waikiki and is draped with fresh flower leis daily.

[Palace and Seal 2903-F] Iolani Palace is the only Royal Palace within the United States. It was completed in 1882 and replaced an earlier smaller building that was an Al'ii (Royal) home. During more than 70 years as a functional but neglected government building, the palace fell into disrepair. The palace original grounds are surrounded by a fence with gates at appropriate places. The motto on the seal attached to the gates is from King Kamehameha I, and translates as; "The life of the land is preserved in righteousness." The restoration was fully completed in 1978 and the palace was opened to the public as a museum.

[Lost Home 1802] The first queen and last monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaii was Lili’uokalani. King Kalakaua designated Lili’uokalani as heir apparent and when Kalakaua Died she ascended to the throne. Ruling from January 29, 1891 until the Overthrow of the kingdom in January 17, 1893 vy American business interests With assistance of American marines and the federal Government in Washington D.C. Imprisoned in ‘Iolani Palace until January 24, 1895 when she abdicated the Throne, she later lived at Washington Place in downtown Honolulu until her Death in 1917.

[Kamehameha Draping Ceremony 1867] The Honolulu Fire Department assists with the draping of the many leis made and donated by Hawaiian groups from all the islands for the ceremony to honor the first King of Hawai'i. Gifts (called Ho'okupu) to the King are arranged around the base of the statue. Thousands of residents and tourists attend the ceremony every year.

[Kamehameha Celebration 3203-B] Each year on June 11th, the birthday of Kamehameha I is celebrated by draping the statue in front of the judicial building with giant thirty-six foot leis of plumeria, roses and other flowers. The celebration includes a draping ceremony, a Pa'u Parade (decorated women horse riders) and a Ho'olaulea (carnival, fair and competitions combined). Thousands of tourists and locals come to view these events.

[Kamehameha Day 6210-B] June 11th is a public holiday in the state of Hawai'i in the United States. The holiday honors Kamehameha the Great, (1736-1819) the monarch who first established the United Kingdon of Hawai'i. The kingdom is compromised of the Hawaiian islands of Ni'ihau, Kaua'i, O'ahu, Moloka'i, Lana'i, Kaho'olawe, Maui, and Hawai'i. In 1883 a statue of King Kamehameha I was dedicated by King David Kalakaua. There is also a duplicate statue located in Emancipation Hall at the Capitol Visitor Center in Washington D.C.

[Kamehameha Honored 1219] The statue depicts Kamehameha wearing a traditional Ali'i (Royal) costume consisting of a helmet, cape, sash and malo (loin cloth) made of rare bird feathers. He is also carrying a spear to denote his warrior status as the conquerer of all the islands. During the battle of O'ahu, Kamehameha and his warriors drove an opposing chieftan's army off the Nu'uanu Pali (cliff) where they fell 985 feet to their deaths.

[Hale o Keawe Temple B-6608] This temple is located in the City of Refuge Park on the western shore of the big island of Hawaii. The temple is within the 420 acre Pu'u O Honaunau National Historical Park. The park includes temple platforms and royal fishponds. The refuge preserves the site that until the early 19th century, Hawaiians who broke a serious Kapu (an ancient law) could avoid certain death by fleeing to this place of refuge. The offender was then absolved by a priest and freed to leave. The area just outside the great wall that encloses the refuge was home to serveral generations of powerful chiefs.