Categorized | Entertainment

Palace concert, Kokua Kailua on Sunday

MEDIA RELEASE

The final Kokua Kailua stroll of the year is Sunday afternoon after the Hulihee Palace concert honoring Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop.

The Kokua Kailua campaign encourages residents to enjoy their village. Sponsored by the Kailua Village Business Improvement District, the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce, Destination Kona Coast and the Kailua Village Merchants Association, Kokua Kailua is designed to rally support for merchants and restaurants affected by the economic downturn and to remind residents to shop, dine and buy local. 

For the Hulihee Palace Concert & Village Stroll event, Alii Drive will be turned into a pedestrian mall from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. The concert begins at 4 p.m. The events are free.

Musicians and artists will take to the street in a fun, festive, family event where residents can listen to music, experience creativity at art demonstrations, shop for special items and dine at nearby restaurants.

This month’s concert remembers the late Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, with the Merrie Monarchs and Hawaiian performing arts by Kumu Hula Etua Lopes and his Halau Na Pua Ui O Hawaii.

Bring a beach mat or chair as seating on the south lawn will not be provided. Concert goers are encouraged to take advantage of the free “chair check”  across from the palace while they enjoy the Kokua Kailua Village Stroll. 

Hawaii was dramatically changing when the last direct royal descendant of King Kamehameha I, Princess Bernice Pauahi, was born Dec. 19, 1831. During her lifetime, the princess witnessed the physical and social decline of Hawaiians. Some foreigners brought disease—the native population dwindled from 400,000 in 1778 to fewer than 45,000 a century later—and controlled most commerce. Missionaries introduced a new value system.

“Distressed by the plight of her people, Princess Pauahi created a will in 1883 as an instrument of change,” says Fanny Au Hoy, Hulihee Palace administrator. “She believed education could be the answer to help her people.” 

The will established a charitable land trust overseen by trustees to improve the well being of Hawaiians. It operates today as Kamehameha Schools, one of the largest, private trusts in the nation.

“The will was the princess’s way to malama ka aina — practice the ethical, prudent and culturally appropriate stewardship of land and resources,” Au Hoy said.

Pauahi was well liked by others and taught reading and music to her people. Even though she was betrothed as a child to Lot Kapuaiwa, Kamehameha V, Pauahi married Charles Reed Bishop in 1850. She and Bishop shared a love for traveling, teaching and entertaining and the couple became astute property managers. When her favorite cousin, Princess Ruth Keelikoolani died, Pauahi received her entire estate (including Hulihee Palace) and this inheritance comprised the major portion of Pauahi’s landholdings. She died a year later in 1884.

Hulihee Palace has been closed for repairs since last December after the historic landmark suffered $1.5 million in damages from the October 2006 earthquakes. It is expected to be closed until next spring. 

A Hulihee Restoration Fund has been set up for tax-deductible donations.  Mail donations to Hulihee Palace, 75-5718 Ali‘i Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740. Find out more about the earthquake damage at www.daughtersofhawaii.org.

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