A public holiday of the state of Hawaii, Kamehameha Day honors Kamehameha the Great, the monarch who united the Hawaiian Islands in 1810 and became Hawai‘i’s first king.

Established by royal decree on December 22, 1871 by King Kamehameha, Kamehameha Day was first observed in 1872.

Kamehameha Day is celebrated with an annual festival featuring music and hula dancing. There's also parades, seashell blowing contests, food, and art and craft vendors.