Residing in Wailoa River State Park in Hilo on the island of Hawaiʻi (aka the Big Island), the King Kamehameha Statue celebrates the legacy of the leader who conquered and united the islands of Hawai’I to form the Hawaiian Kingdom. The monument connects to the history of this formative event and to the individual that enabled it in a way that visitors can newly discover and residents can continually celebrate.
Unifying the Hawaiian Islands
Kamehameha the Great was born in the 1750s and rose to become one of the most important figures in Hawaiian history. He led the unification of the Hawaiian islands that was finalized in 1812, but as part of that effort, oversaw the construction of the great Peleleu fleet that launched from the shores of Hilo Bay in 1801. To celebrate this legacy, a 14-foot tall King Kamehameha Statue was installed in Wailoa River State Park in 1997.
The tallest of the four statues of King Kamehameha I, the piece was originally intended to be installed at a resort in Kauai but was instead placed in storage until it was installed at the park in Hilo. The statue faces east towards Hilo Bay, where the great Peleleu fleet was launched. Cast in red bronze and gold leaf, it glistens in the sun and shimmers in the rain.
Fruit offering and fresh flowers can usually be found at Kamehameha’s feet, highlighting how the statue has become an essential element of the modern community. This connection has been further enabled by the fact that Hilo was a special place for Kamehameha, underscoring what it can mean for a monument to cultivate a connection with history and for audiences of all types.
The History and Legacy of the Hawaiian Islands
Featured in many maps and guides to Hilo, the King Kamehameha Statue provides an identity for Wailoa River State Park and to all of Hilo that cultivates interest in each from audiences across the region. Doing so has transformed what would otherwise be a simple park into a true destination.
