King Kamehameha Statue at Ali’iolani hale

The King Kamehameha statue in front of Ali’iolani Hale in downtown Honolulu is one of Oahu’s most photographed landmarks. The 18-foot bronze statue was dedicated in 1883 to represent the famed unifier of the islands, King Kamehameha I. It was sculpted by Thomas Gould in Florence

The statue stands 8 1/2 feet tall, with the King in his royal clothing. King Kamehameha wears a mahiole, which is the helmet, and the ‘ahu ‘ula, which is the cloak. They are finished with gold leaf, reminiscent of the rare yellow feathers from the mamo bird the King wore. The spear in his left hand is the symbol of his kingdom and that he is willing to defend it himself; His right hand is extended towards the direction of the Hawaiian Islands

This was actually the second statue created after the ship delivering the original statue from Europe was lost at sea near Cape Horn. This original statue was later found and was erected in North Kohala on the island of Hawaii near King Kamehameha’s birthplace. The third statue of him is located in Hilo, and a fourth statue is located in Washington D.C.