Lei draping ceremony honors King Kamehameha III
A lei draping ceremony honoring King Kamehameha III, who was born with the name Keaweaweʻula Kīwalaʻō Kauikeaouli Kaleiopapa on March 17, 1814, was held at Thomas Square Park on Monday, March 18, 2024. The celebration paid tribute to the king who ruled Hawaii for over 29 years. Kamehameha III is credited with many accomplishments which included establishing a Constitution, the restoration of the Hawaiian Kingdom after an illegal cession by British Captain George Paulet in 1843, the founding of Honolulu Fire Department along with a municipal band, which evolved into the Royal Hawaiian Band, the oldest full-time working band in the United States.