The ruler Hawaii never forgets: 100th floral parade honors King Kamehameha I

Saturday is a state holiday in Hawaii for the beloved King Kamehameha I, who united the islands during his reign that began in the 18th century.

While there will be festivals throughout the islands, the King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade in Honolulu, now in its 100th year, is one of the biggest. It snakes its way from downtown through Waikiki.

The parade kicks off at 9 a.m. in front of Iolani Palace, the home of Hawaii’s last royalty.

Amid floats and marching bands, King Kamehameha will reign again, surrounded by his warriors with their traditional tattoos. (He ruled from 1782 until 1819.)

Pau riders — colorfully dressed men and women on horseback representing the royal courts of each island — also pass by thousands of parade-goers.

The long procession will travel roughly four miles before arriving at Waikiki’s Kapiolani Park around noon. As the last of the parade units passes through Waikiki, the main drag, Kalakaua Avenue, will be transformed into a giant block party — what the locals call a hoolaulea — from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will feature Hawaiian entertainment, food vendors and crafts booths.

Festivals also will take place on Hawaii Island, Kauai and Maui.

Visitors can expect more locals than usual at beaches, museums and other attractions on Friday. That’s when the state holiday is celebrated this year, and many people will have the day off.

It was around 1810 that King Kamehameha I founded the Kamehameha dynasty by unifying the Hawaiian islands. The monarchy continued until 1893, when it was toppled by an American-supported coup.

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