Kamehameha Statue, Honolulu

Kamehameha Statue, Honolulu

The Kamehameha I statue in Honolulu, created by Thomas Ridgeway Gould, an American sculptor, was set up in 1883. This particular version is the second in a series. The first one is in North Kohala on Hawaiʻi Island, while this second one is placed in front of the Aliʻiōlani Hale, a government building in Honolulu, on Oahu Island. This brass statue depicts Kamehameha I, who unified the Hawaiian Islands and established the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi in 1810. It's large and has a two-tone finish, with a dark brown patina and gold highlights on the clothing.

This statue was made as a backup for the original Kamehameha the Great statue. That one was intended to mark 100 years since Captain James Cook arrived in Hawaii. The Honolulu statue has stood in front of the Aliʻiōlani Hale since 1883, a spot originally meant for the first statue.

The second cast of the Kamehameha I statue is not just an artwork; it's become a symbol of Hawaiian politics and culture. It's part of the Hawaiian state seal and the logo of the Kamehameha Schools, which are scattered across the Islands. In 1959, with Hawaii becoming the 50th U.S. state, a third version of this statue was made. This one, modeled after the second, is in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Businesses, particularly in tourism, have used the statue's image widely. It appears on things like brochures, postcards, T-shirts, and various crafts, and miniature replicas are common Hawaiian souvenirs.

Additionally, the statue plays a significant role in Kamehameha Day celebrations. This annual holiday honors Hawaiʻi's first king. During these festivities, the statue is traditionally adorned with long lei as a tribute to Kamehameha I and his legacy.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Honolulu. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Kamehameha Statue on Map

Sight Name: Kamehameha Statue
Sight Location: Honolulu, USA (See walking tours in Honolulu)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark

Walking Tours in Honolulu, Hawaii

Create Your Own Walk in Honolulu

Create Your Own Walk in Honolulu

Creating your own self-guided walk in Honolulu is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Waikiki Beach Walk

Waikiki Beach Walk

Once the playground of Hawaiian aristocracy stretching along the southern coast of the island of Oahu, Waikiki, or Waikiki Beach, today greets visitors from all walks of life and corners of the globe. This iconic beachfront area of Honolulu, famed for its long rolling ocean break ideal for boarding and surfing, is also home to public places, high-end resort hotels, and an abundance of luxury brand...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Pearl Harbor Walking Tour

Pearl Harbor Walking Tour

Pearl Harbor, a US deep-water naval base in Honolulu, made history in 1941 when it came under attack by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service prompting the United States to enter World War II. Since 1964, Pearl Harbor has been a National Historic Landmark, featuring a number of military objects and installations-turned-monuments.

The Pearl Harbor National Memorial is at the heart of this...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.9 Km or 3 Miles
Honolulu Downtown Walking Tour

Honolulu Downtown Walking Tour

Honolulu is the largest city in Hawaii and the state's capital. Visitors flock here to enjoy the pristine beaches, beautiful scenery and unique culture. There is much to see and do in Honolulu.

The first residents of Honolulu were probably settled during the 11th century. These Polynesian migrants are thought to have come from Tahiti. King Kamehameha I conquered Oahu and claimed the area...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Diamond Head Volcano Tour

Diamond Head Volcano Tour

Diamond Head Volcano, an iconic natural landmark, is perhaps one of the best-known attractions on the island of Oahu. While not a traditional volcano in the sense of actively erupting, Diamond Head is a dormant volcanic crater that offers a glimpse into the geological history of the Hawaiian Islands.

The volcano's rugged cone is seen from almost every part of the island. However, at its...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


16 Hawaiian Products To Bring Home from Honolulu

16 Hawaiian Products To Bring Home from Honolulu

Pineapples, surfing, flower garlands and colorful shirts are the most distinct things coming to mind in association with Hawaii. Still, when it's time to go leisurely-pleasurely in the remotest part of the United States, it is good to know what is there exactly worth picking up in Honolulu, as...