Kamehameha Day, 1875.

Cover Image: Masthead of Ka Nupepa Kuokoa published on June 19, 1875.

There were no parades, but a 21-gun salute and a baseball game were included in the commemoration, 150 years ago, of Kamehameha Day.

Image: Portrait of King Kamehameha I. Lithograph by Langlume after a painting by Louis Choris. Bishop Museum Archives. SP 1422.

Image sharing on social media is welcome. For all other uses please contact Archives@BishopMuseum.org.

Image: ““Ma ke Kauoha.,” Ka Lahui Hawaii, June 10, 1865, p. 3.

Image: “BY AUTHORITY.” Hawaiian Gazette, June 9, 1875, p. 2.

Image: “Ka La Hoomanao o Kamehameha.” Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, June 19, 1875, p. 2.

Commemoration Day of Kamehameha—The 11th of June went by beautifully, that being the day on which we sought to examine our famous Nation Conqueror, the Napoleon of the Pacific. There were no grand parades that day, however, the government offices were closed, showing their festivities for that day.

—At 12 o’clock noon, a 21-gun salute was given for his renowned bones at rest in the grave from the hill of Puʻuowina and returned by the Pensacola.

—That afternoon, there was a ball game between the teams, the Athletes (Atalite) and the Whangdoodles (Wenadudela). The game lasted 3 hours and 17 minutes long, but at the conclusion it was reported that the Athletes won for they had 44 runs, while the other side had 26. How lively are the hapa haole.

The official Kingdom holidays that year were as follows:

Image: “Na La Kulaia Lahui,” Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, January 9, 1875, p. 2.

Holidays of the Nation. 

New Year’s DayJanuary 1Friday
Birthday of the Heir to the ThroneJanuary 10Sunday
Kamehameha DayJune 11Friday
Birthday of the KingNovember 16Tuesday
Independence DayNovember 28Sunday
Christmas DayDecember 25Saturday

This post is part of He Aupuni Palapala: Preserving and Digitizing the Hawaiian Language Newspapers, a partnership between Bishop Museum and Awaiaulu with assistance from Kamehameha Schools. Mahalo nui loa to Hawaii Tourism Authority for their support. Learn more about this project here.

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