VIDEO: Kamehameha Day events mark island unification bicentennial

By Wendy Osher

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjBZMJNqkyA[/youtube]

Today is Kamehameha Day. Commemorative events take place today in Kahului and tomorrow in Lahaina. Maui’s royal societies observe the day with reverence, paying special attention to the significance of Kamehameha’s role in unifying the 8 major Hawaiian islands. The groups, led by the Royal Order of Kamehameha Kahekili Chapter, will walk in a one-mile procession down Kaahumanu Avenue beginning at 9 a.m. today.

Members of the Royal Order of Kamehameha, Kahekili Chapter from Maui host an annual procession down Kaahumanu Avenue in Kahului to commemorate and honor the King who unified the Hawaiian Islands under one rule. Photo by Wendy Osher (June 11, 2010)

The procession begins at the main entrance of the University of Hawaii Maui College and continues East, ending at Ho’aloha Park. Participating groups include the Royal Order of Kamehameha, ‘Ahahui Ka’ahumanu, Hale O Na Ali’I and the Royal Order’s women’s auxiliary.

Then tomorrow, The Na Kamehameha Commemorative Pa’u Parade & Ho’olaule’a takes place along Front Street in West Maui. The parade celebrates 200 years of unification and honors the Kamehameha dynasty. This year’s parade begins at 9:45a.m. under the theme “E Ho’okahi Ka Mana’o, Ho’okahi Pu’uwai, Ho’okahi Ke Aloha” –translated as: “Be of one mind, one heart, one love.”

The Lahaina celebration runs until 5 p.m. and includes food booths, and Maui made crafts and entertainment. There will also be a ho’okupu ceremony following the parade at Keawa’iki (Banyan Tree Park).

Today is the second holiday that is subject to new county holiday pool closures implemented because of budget constraints. Pools are scheduled to reopen on Saturday and Sunday. For daily recorded information on the county’s pool schedule, call 270-8208.

Other closures in effect for today include county and state offices, and reduced hours at county recycling and refuse facilities. The Lanai landfill will be closed; the Central Maui Landfill is open from 7 a.m. to noon; the Olowalu Recycling & Refuse Center is open from 9 a.m. to noon; the Hana Landfills is open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and the Molokai Landfill is open from 8 a.m. to noon. The Waiehu Golf Course will remain open; and trash collection will follow a normal schedule.