Hele mai Hawai‘i island ʻohana, visitors, and Hawaiian music lovers! All are invited to join Kamehameha Schools for a three-day tribute in honor of Kamehameha III. The events are free and open to the public.

Each year, Kamehameha Schools sponsors a series of events to honor the birth, life and legacy of Lani Kauikeaouli – Kamehameha III. This year's celebration marks the tribute’s 16th year.

The festivities kick off on Thursday, March 17 at 10 a.m. with a special ceremony honoring Kauikeaouli at the place of his birth at Keauhou Bay. This event is hosted by the Daughters of Hawaiʻi, the Royal Order of Kamehameha, and Kamehameha Schools.

Next, come listen to University of Hawaiʻi Law Professor Melody MacKenzie discuss pivotal moments in the life and reign of Kamehameha III, Friday, March 18 at 5:30 p.m.in the Keauhou ballroom at the Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa at Keauhou Bay.

MacKenzie, who is also director of Ka Huli Ao Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law and editor-in-chief of the book “Native Hawaiian Law: A Treatise” will discuss topics that include the mahele and trust lands.

The celebration continues on Saturday, March 19 at 3:00 p.m. on the Hawai‘i lawn at the Sheraton, with a free ʻaha mele featuring performances by ʻAha Pūnana Leo keiki, KS Hawaiʻi – Hōʻike A Haʻi, Kainani Kahaunaele, Bulla Kaʻiliwai, Kunia Galdeira and Darlene Ahuna with Kuʻuipo Kumukahi. 

This year’s event includes a vendor marketplace, cultural activities and Hawaiian language and literacy games including a scavenger hunt with free book prizes for keiki. The marketplace will feature books, crafts made by local artists and raffle drawings with proceeds benefiting event partner, ʻAha Pūnana Leo - initiating, providing for and nurturing various Hawaiʻi language environments.  Donations for the program will be collected at the event.

The marketplace opens at 3:00 p.m. with cultural activities starting on the Hawaiʻi lawn at 4:00 p.m. All activities will be open till the concert ends at 9:00 p.m.  A free concert shuttle from the Keauhou Shopping Center will run from 2:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Valet parking is also available at the hotel for $7.  Mats and beach chairs are welcome but no coolers please. Food and beverages will be available for purchase at the hotel.

Visit the event website for details, or call KS’ West Hawai‘i Regional Office at 808-322-5300. 

The North Kona region of Keauhou was the birthplace of Kauikeaouli, who believed that education was key to the survival of his people. During his reign, Kauikeaouli established a school system that integrated Hawaiian language and culture into Western education. The schools were so successful that at the end of his 30-year reign in 1854, Hawai‘i was one of the most literate nations in the world. Today, as part of KS’ strategic plan – Kūhanauna, culturally integrated education is once again being cultivated in Keauhou and its neighboring ahupua‘a on lands owned by Kamehameha Schools.

UH-Mānoa Law Professor Melody MacKenzie will discuss pivotal moments in the life and reign of Kamehameha III.

KS Hawaiʻi students will perform selections from the original Hawaiian opera - "Hāʻupu."

Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner Kainani Kahaunaele is part of the entertainment line-up.

Darlene Ahuna and Kuʻuipo Kumukahi, both Nā Hōkū Hanohano award winners, will close the show.

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