HONOLULU -- On June 11, the state celebrates the birth of King Kamehameha the Great, also known as Kamehameha Paiea.

Kamehameha united the Hawaiian Islands for the first time in 1810 and became the archipelago's first royal figure. Peace and prosperity came with his rule.

Legends said that Kamehameha was born on a stormy night during which a bright star (Kokoiki) appeared in the sky. Historians believed that this star was Halley's Comet, which traversed the Hawaiian skies in 1758.

Kahuna (priests) believed that this child would grow up to become ruler of all the Hawaiian Islands. Word of this prophecy spread to Alapai, an already ruling chief on the island of Hawaii, who then ordered the infant to be put to death.

Kamehameha's mother secretly gave her child to a childless couple who raised her son in Waipi'o Valley. Alapai later discovered that Kamehameha was still living, but allowed him to return to court.

Kamehameha had grown to be a very bright and ambitious individual. He used the knowledge of Westerners to his advantage and rivaled his cousin Kiwalao for power. War broke out between the two cousins, but in the end Kamehameha came out victorious and went on to conquer each island, except for Kauai, which was given to him. He established the Hawaiian Kingdom and ruled until 1810. Kamehameha died in 1819, and his two sons, Kamehameha II and III succeeded him.

In 1871, Kamehameha V decreed that June 11 be set aside to honor his grandfather and founder/unifier of the Hawaiian Kingdom, Kamehameha I. The first observance of this celebration was in 1872. Incidentally, June 11 is not Kamehameha's birthday. His exact birth date is not known.

One of the most well-known traditions of the Kamehameha Day weekend is the draping of the statue of King Kamehameha on the grounds of Aliiolani Hale, across from Iolani Palace.

With the help of the Honolulu Fire Department and a cherry picker, dozens of 20-foot lei will be draped around the statue. The lei are donated by various Hawaiian and volunteer groups.

The annual King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade will roll through the streets of Honolulu on Saturday.

The parade is famous for its elaborate and colorful floats depicting and celebrating Hawaiian royalty. Dozens of Pa`u (horse) riders represented each of the eight Hawaiian islands.

Parades are traditionally held Saturday morning in Kailua-Kona and Lihue, Kauai, as well as a hoolaulea (celebration) in Kaunakakai, Molokai.