The Original King Kamehameha Statue
The Original King Kamehameha Statue
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Ewalina
Portland, OR356 contributions
Jun 2013 • Friends
On the north end of the Big Island past the artsy town of Hawi in the tiny burg of Kapa'au, stands the original 9 foot bronze King Kamehameha I statue right next to the highway. As stated by a previous reviewer, it was returned after sitting on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean near the Falkland Islands. This location was chosen because it was the area where the King was born (about 1753) and raised. June 11 (King Kamehameha Day) commemorates the warrior who united all the Hawaiian islands under one rule in 1795. On this day each year the statue is draped with 25 foot fresh floral leis.
There are a total of 4 King Kamehameha statues. One is in Honolulu (island of Oahu) in front of the Supreme Court Building, a third statue is at Wailoa State Park in the city of Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii and the fourth one is in Washington DC in Emancipation Hall.
There are a total of 4 King Kamehameha statues. One is in Honolulu (island of Oahu) in front of the Supreme Court Building, a third statue is at Wailoa State Park in the city of Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii and the fourth one is in Washington DC in Emancipation Hall.
Written 22 September 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
arno1
Hilo, HI115 contributions
Jan 2012 • Couples
While the statue itself is interesting, it and the two others also have an interesting history, this one being painted, while the others are bronze with gold leaf capes...however going to the statue means you are visiting an interesting and scenic area Hawi and Kapaau which have undergone a revolution over the past few years of old plantation era stores being made into cute boutique type places but still retaining some of the old charm...also you are on the way to Pololu Valley overlook at the end of the road....which in itself is worth the drive...be sure to stop at the coffee and ice cream store in Hawi on the way back...to get there go one way on the coast road and return via the Kohala Mountain road for incredibly different scenery....enjoy the area and its history..!!
Written 1 June 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KEASTER
Indiana4 contributions
I recently went to see the statue. It looks just like it does in the post cards. There is a tiny overpriced sandwich shop across the street and that’s about it.
HOWEVER... if you were to do what we did, it would be worth driving by. We scheduled a tour with ATV Outfitters and it was the highlight of our time in Hawaii. It is the first thing we recommend to others. You can go take the ATV tour with George (such a cutie) and then drive by the statue and have lunch at the overpriced sandwich shop. (--)
We ate our overpriced sandwiches on one street south of the sandwich shop and statue and while we were pulled over we watched a young wild pig venture across the street he was following the creek.
HOWEVER... if you were to do what we did, it would be worth driving by. We scheduled a tour with ATV Outfitters and it was the highlight of our time in Hawaii. It is the first thing we recommend to others. You can go take the ATV tour with George (such a cutie) and then drive by the statue and have lunch at the overpriced sandwich shop. (--)
We ate our overpriced sandwiches on one street south of the sandwich shop and statue and while we were pulled over we watched a young wild pig venture across the street he was following the creek.
Written 1 June 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deb W
Reno, NV2,447 contributions
Jan 2021
When on the Big Island this is a good place to visit. We had a beautiful day to enjoy the area and view the statue. It's very easy to find.
Written 7 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
owenmorgan315
Marcellus, NY173 contributions
Jan 2019 • Couples
Don’t let this statue slip by you as you drive through. Sneaks up but is still super impressive. Stop by the galleries for a t shirt or grab a drink at the food stop.
Written 7 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cunnkl
Larsen, WI56 contributions
Jun 2018 • Family
The King Kamehameha day festival centers around this statue and the parade ends here. The locals have a beautiful ceremony to start the festival with traditional dances and singing. After the end of the parade, all gather at the park with food tents, crafts for sale and singing. We loved it! Bring a beach towel or chair to sit by the statue so you don't miss a thing.
Written 13 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marjorie S
Raleigh, NC52 contributions
Feb 2017 • Couples
Worth stopping if you are driving by. Good history but nothing you couldn't see online. The town is quaint and people interesting.
Written 27 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rebecca S
San Jose, CA100 contributions
Jul 2015 • Solo
Very cool little town with lots of history. The King's statue is a site not to be missed. The visitor center behind it is full of local history, and has a big display in honor of local veterans.
Written 1 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RYC88
Centreville, VA1,314 contributions
Apr 2015 • Family
If you are on the Kahalo coast, it’s easy to quickly stop to see the original King Kamehameha statue. It’s amazing to think this statue was lost in a shipwreck off the Falklands and then later found and brought to the King’s birthplace. It’s not as fancy as the copy on Oahu, but it’s nice to see and compare.
Written 18 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hugs4u
Los Angeles751 contributions
Sept 2013 • Family
The story of this statue, which I read in a guidebook, rather captured my interest, so we thought that it was worth a photo stop here. The statue is right on the highway, beyond Hawi in the sleepy, charming little town of Kapa'au around the 23-24 mile marker.
The story goes that the statue was on its way to stand in front of the Judiciary building in Honolulu, but the ship sunk near the Falkland Islands, and the statue was lost. Insurance money paid for the creation of another, which stands where it was intended, in front of that building in Honolulu. In the meantime, the captain of the wrecked ship spotted the statue in Port Stanley, bought it, and sent to Hawaii and it was placed where it is standing now. Nice story! It was recently renovated/repainted. If you visit on or near June 11, King Kamehameha Day, you'll be lucky enough to see it festooned with leis piled high.
While you're stopped, you'll want to walk across the street and visit the Ackerman Gallery for some great Hawaiian artifacts including jewelry, sarongs, etc.
The story goes that the statue was on its way to stand in front of the Judiciary building in Honolulu, but the ship sunk near the Falkland Islands, and the statue was lost. Insurance money paid for the creation of another, which stands where it was intended, in front of that building in Honolulu. In the meantime, the captain of the wrecked ship spotted the statue in Port Stanley, bought it, and sent to Hawaii and it was placed where it is standing now. Nice story! It was recently renovated/repainted. If you visit on or near June 11, King Kamehameha Day, you'll be lucky enough to see it festooned with leis piled high.
While you're stopped, you'll want to walk across the street and visit the Ackerman Gallery for some great Hawaiian artifacts including jewelry, sarongs, etc.
Written 15 September 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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