In what year did the King Kamehameha Day Celebration Parade first begin, making the 2026 event the 154th annual celebration?

Holualoa’s First Friday Art Walk lights up the village each month, inviting locals and visitors to experience art, music, and flavors unique to Kona.

From 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., streets fill with the vibrant energy of live performances and the aroma of island-inspired street food.

Art lovers can stroll through Holualoa’s diverse galleries, each one highlighting creative works by talented local artists.

Upcoming Events

Kailua-Kona will come alive on Saturday, June 6, 2026, as the 154th annual King Kamehameha Day Celebration Parade pays tribute to Kamehameha the Great.

The parade sets off at 9:00 a.m. from Kuakini Highway at Palani Road, making its way to Kailua Pier and continuing along Aliʻi Drive to the Royal Kona Resort.

Spectators can look forward to the stunning pāʻū riders—equestrians representing all eight Hawaiian Islands—each festooned in vibrant, island-specific attire and lei.

9th Annual Hawaiʻi Kuauli Pacific & Asia Cultural Festival

Date: June 5 - 7
Time: All day
Location: 

75-5660  Kopiko St. #STE C7-321 Kailua-Kona, Hi. 96740

Admission: Buy tickets here.
Details: For more information, please visit the website here.

Mākeke Fridays at Queens' Marketplace

Date: June 5
Time: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Location: 69-201 Waikoloa Beach Dr. Waikoloa, HI 96738

Admission: No registration required.
Details: For more information, please visit the website here.

Visiting Kailua-Kona invites travelers to experience the heart of Hawaiian culture and its stunning landscapes.

Participate in local traditions by joining community events, exploring historical sites, and supporting native artisans for a true sense of the island’s heritage.

Recent community initiatives, like the Kani Leʻa apartment project, are addressing affordable housing and homelessness, ensuring residents benefit as tourism grows.

Business Spotlight

Kailua-Kona residents seeking to upgrade their vehicles have several trusted choices for window tinting and paint protection services.

C-Thru Window Tinting, a local favorite since 1986, offers expert automobile, marine, and residential tinting as a certified 3M™ Window Films dealer. Clients benefit from improved heat control, increased privacy, and advanced UV protection. Their high standards have earned prestigious local awards.

For more than 15 years, WOW! Windows Tinting has provided professional tinting for cars and businesses, focusing on energy savings and comfort. As the region’s Solar Gard dealer, they prioritize customer satisfaction with free estimates.

Photo of the Week

The King Kamehameha Day Celebration Parade first began in 1872 (154 years prior to 2026), established by King Kamehameha V to honor his grandfather, Kamehameha the Great.