2022 King Kamehameha Day Parade & Hoʻolauleʻa in Kailua-Kona

King Kamehameha I, resided at his royal compound in Historic Kailua Village during the final years of his life. His reconstructed heiau (sacred site/temple ) overlooks Kailua Bay at the royal Kamakahonu compound and first capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Held each year in Kailua-Kona, the King Kamehameha Day Celebration Parade honors the life of the great ali‘i who united the Hawaiian Islands. More info: King Kamehameha Day Celebration Parade, Kailua-Kona – Saturday, June 13, 2020 at 9 a.m. (konaparade.org)

• Parade: The parade takes place on the nearest Saturday to the statewide Kamehameha Day on June 11. The parade begins at 9 a.m. at the Kuakini Hwy. near the Palani intersection, and travels down Palani past the pier, then southbound down Ali‘i Drive through Historic Kailua Village to Royal Kona Resort. The highlight of the parade are the beautiful pa‘u riders on horseback, showcasing the flowers and colors of the eight Hawaiian Islands. In addition to riders on horseback, the parade includes decorated floats, horse-drawn carriages, marching bands, equestrian units, hula halau, and more.
• Ho‘olaule‘a (celebration/festival): After the parade, a ho‘olaule‘a will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hulihe‘e Palace in Historic Kailua Village. The festival will feature food vendors, hula, cultural practitioners, Hawaiian crafts, the Royal Court, live music, and a silent auction. Parking: there are plenty of free places to park along the streets above town, such as off Palani Road near Long’s and KTA, near the intersection of Kuakini and Hualalai, and south of Walua Road on Ali‘i Drive past Royal Kona Resort.  Additionally, there are many pay-to-park lots off of Ali‘i Drive, near Coconut Grove Marketplace, and at the Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel.