The festival is dedicated to the memory of King David Kalākaua, the second (and last) elected king of Hawaii, who came to the throne in 1874 and reigned until his death in 1891.
The festival is dedicated to the memory of King David Kalākaua, known as the Merrie Monarch. King Kalākaua, the second (and last) elected king of Hawaii, came to the throne in 1874 and reigned until his death in 1891.