King Kamehameha the Great Statue

King Kamehameha the Great Statue Hawaii

What's this attraction about?

Although the King Kamehameha the Great Statue isn’t an exact representation of how Kamehameha I looked—the sculptor gave him Roman-like facial features instead of Polynesian. At 8 1/2 feet tall, King Kamehameha holds a spear in his left hand to represent the kingdom’s will to keep harm at bay. His right hand is extended as a warm gesture of aloha. Located in front of the Ali’iolani Hale, the statue is one of many sacred structures located in historic Downtown Honolulu. Nearby is the Iolani Palace and Kawaiahao Church, so spend some time walking around the area!

History

In 1878 Walter M. Gibson, a member of the Hawaiian government, sought to commemorate the 100 year arrival of Captain Cook to the Hawaiian Islands. Gibson commissioned a Boston sculptor, Thomas R. Gould, who was living in Italy at the time. In 1880, the initial sculpture was sent to Paris, France to be cast in bronze. In 1883 during transit to Hawaii, the cargo ship wrecked and the statue was lost near the Falkland Islands. A replica was immediately created, but the original was recovered, so Hawaii had two statues!

Learn More: Details & Trivia

  • How Long We're Here: Depending on traffic and parking availability, your guide may stop for about 5 minutes at this location.
  • Location: Historic Honolulu District, Oahu.
  • Insider Tip: On June 11, or Kamehameha Day, dozens of hand-crafted leis are draped ceremoniously over the statue.
  • What To Expect: Picture opportunities and the Ali'Iolani Hale and Iolani Palace in near sight.
  • Pop Culture: The title credits of the original and current Hawaii 5-0 TV series features a shot of the statue.

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