# H47 - 1883-86 25c Hawaii, dark violet,perf 12, wove paper
Why some Hawaii stamps were
created just for stamp collectors...
There was a great demand for Hawaii stamps from collectors in the United States. Hawaii’s connection to the U.S. was quite strong, and it was evident to many people that Hawaii would eventually become a U.S. state. This made the stamps popular in the U.S. But the small number of Hawaii stamps issued for postal purposes could not possibly supply demand. Postal authorities created “official imitations” and reproductions, thereby collecting a sizable profit on stamps that would never frank mail.
Kamehameha Day
On December 22, 1871, Kamehameha V proclaimed June 11 to be Kamehameha Day in honor of his grandfather. In addition to honoring his grandfather, the holiday was meant as a replacement for Hawaiian Sovereignty Restoration Day, which was unpopular among the king and his ministers.
The first Kamehameha Day was held on June 11, 1872. The celebrations that year and in years to come included carnivals, fairs, foot races, horse races, and bicycle races. One of the most important rituals of the celebration was first instituted in 1901 – the draping ceremony. In this ceremony, long strands of lei were draped on prominent statues of Kamehameha in Hawaii as well as at the US Capitol. When Hawaii became a US state in 1959, Kamehameha Day was one of the first holidays the governor and state legislature proclaimed.
King Kamehameha
The first Hawaiian chief to unite the islands of Hawaii, Kamehameha was an able ruler and role model for the Hawaiian monarchy. He used chiefs as effective local rulers and preserved many of his people’s customs and religion. However, he did institute changes when necessary. Under Kamehameha’s rule, trade increased greatly. He built a huge fortune for Hawaii through a government monopoly on the sandalwood trade and port duties on visiting ships. Throughout the period of discovery by whites, Kamehameha did not succumb to foreign rule or colonization. In fact, he often employed white men, or haoles.
Kamehameha is believed to have died on May 8, 1819 (though it could have been May 14). Following tradition, his friends hid his body. The Hawaiians believed a person’s mana, or power, was sacred, so their body needed to be buried in secret to protect their power. His final resting place is still unknown today.
Why some Hawaii stamps were
created just for stamp collectors...
There was a great demand for Hawaii stamps from collectors in the United States. Hawaii’s connection to the U.S. was quite strong, and it was evident to many people that Hawaii would eventually become a U.S. state. This made the stamps popular in the U.S. But the small number of Hawaii stamps issued for postal purposes could not possibly supply demand. Postal authorities created “official imitations” and reproductions, thereby collecting a sizable profit on stamps that would never frank mail.
Kamehameha Day
On December 22, 1871, Kamehameha V proclaimed June 11 to be Kamehameha Day in honor of his grandfather. In addition to honoring his grandfather, the holiday was meant as a replacement for Hawaiian Sovereignty Restoration Day, which was unpopular among the king and his ministers.
The first Kamehameha Day was held on June 11, 1872. The celebrations that year and in years to come included carnivals, fairs, foot races, horse races, and bicycle races. One of the most important rituals of the celebration was first instituted in 1901 – the draping ceremony. In this ceremony, long strands of lei were draped on prominent statues of Kamehameha in Hawaii as well as at the US Capitol. When Hawaii became a US state in 1959, Kamehameha Day was one of the first holidays the governor and state legislature proclaimed.
King Kamehameha
The first Hawaiian chief to unite the islands of Hawaii, Kamehameha was an able ruler and role model for the Hawaiian monarchy. He used chiefs as effective local rulers and preserved many of his people’s customs and religion. However, he did institute changes when necessary. Under Kamehameha’s rule, trade increased greatly. He built a huge fortune for Hawaii through a government monopoly on the sandalwood trade and port duties on visiting ships. Throughout the period of discovery by whites, Kamehameha did not succumb to foreign rule or colonization. In fact, he often employed white men, or haoles.
Kamehameha is believed to have died on May 8, 1819 (though it could have been May 14). Following tradition, his friends hid his body. The Hawaiians believed a person’s mana, or power, was sacred, so their body needed to be buried in secret to protect their power. His final resting place is still unknown today.