The Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts invites the community to take part in a lei draping ceremony to honor King Kamehameha III at his statue in Thomas Square at 9 a.m. on Friday. 

The annual lei draping recognizes King Kamehameha III’s impact in the state, which includes the establishment of the Honolulu Fire Department — the oldest fire department west of the Mississippi River.

“The department has participated in lei draping ceremonies in the past, whether it be dedicating our apparatus to help with raising the lei, standing as kiaʻi or guards around the statue, but really it is about bringing the community together to honor the legacy of our alii,” said Honolulu Fire Department Captain Barney Hanson in a release.

Kauikeaouli, King Kamehameha III, succeeded to the throne on June 16, 1825, at a young age and became the longest-reigning Hawaiian monarch. Another of his many contributions included establishing the public school system in 1840 that has played a key role in shaping the future of education throughout the state.

McKinley High School Senior Ikaika Ibara said, “I believe that it is important for people that live in Hawaii that call this place home to know the history and to know what this place is, what our pae ʻāina means us, so I believe that all that live here should come and watch if you are able to.”