Though Oahu’s King Kamehameha I statue is more often photographed—it’s twice the size, at 18 feet (5.4 meters)—the king’s original statue is in Kapaau, and it has a far more interesting backstory: Forged in Italy in 1880, it was thought it was lost at sea mid-delivery to Honolulu. A reproduction was ordered, and that’s the one that stands on Oahu, across the street from the Iolani Palace. A few decades later, the original was found and placed near the king’s birthplace, at its present location on Hawaii’s north shore.
Parking is available at the civic center and directly across the street.
From the street, a small set of yellow stairs requires climbing to get up close to the statue.
On June 11, aka Kamehameha Day, you can catch the statue ceremoniously draped with a flower lei.
The Kohala Civic Center—where the statue stands on the front lawn—can be found at 54-3900 Akoni Pule Hwy., in Kapaau. It’s near the island’s northernmost point, making it slightly out of the way. That said, if you are up here, it’s right off Highway 270, the main road that circumnavigates the island.
This isn’t exactly the most-hopping spot on the island—simply get here in daylight, and you’ll be good to go. It’s discernible from the street on the center’s front lawn and “open” 24 hours a day. For the best photos, come near sunrise to up the color of the king’s golden robes.
Most visitors won’t find themselves near the Big Island’s northernmost point unless they go from Hawi to the famous Pololu Valley Lookout. If that’s on your itinerary, the small town of Kapaau—and this centuries-old statue—make a great stop to add a little Hawaiian history to your landscape-chasing day.
