Yesterday was the birthday of King Kamehameha I, the first king to unite all the Hawaiian islands under one leader. He was born in North Kohala, and every year the community celebrates his birthday with ceremonies at his statue in Kapaau and with a parade.
The parade features Pa’u riders representing all the main Hawaiian islands. Each island has an official color and flower. Maui’s flower is the Lokelani rose and its color is pink.
Hawaiian men and women started riding horses, soon after their introduction to the islands in the early 1800s. Sidesaddle riding was common for women in those days, but it was never introduced here. Women learned to ride the same way as men. They wore a Pa’u skirt, 12 yards of colored cloth wrapped in such a way as to preserve their modesty and dignity while riding astride their horse.
The ceremonies include draping leis over the arms of the statue. These leis are made as a mark of respect, by groups and organizations. It can be a tricky business getting the leis into place, especially when there’s a good breeze blowing as there was yesterday.
Posted for this week’s Sunday Stills color challenge theme of ‘Pink.’ See more responses here.
Graham's Island 
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Fantastic cultural information and I love the costumes.
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There’s a lot of history in this part of the island, and the residents are very mindful and respectful of their connection to Kamehameha.
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I think that adds to a community and is missing in some countries where settlement by other cultures broke the connection.
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The same is true here, but that connection is being reestablished and in this part of the island it was probably never really broken.
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Wow. Those are amazing
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Glad you liked them Kirstin. It’s a very respectful and enjoyable little celebration.
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A wonderful tradition 🙂
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It’s a big deal in this part of the island and I think it’s great that the old traditions count for a lot here.
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Nice to hear about traditions over there, Graham. Pretty in pink 💗
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Locals here are very respectful of their history and it’s great that they maintain these traditions.
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Gorgeous photos, Graham!
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Thanks Susanne. There’s no shortage of colors at the ceremonies and the parade!
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What a cool ceremony to see, Graham. I’d forgotten Kamehameha was born in North Kohala. That must have been fun to watch the parade. The pinks are beautiful and colorful.
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It’s the first parade post-covid so it was a bit deal. It was a bit different to the last one I attended, but the respect for the traditions was powerful.
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