Categorized | Entertainment

Stroll the Village – Kokua Kailua (May 16)

MEDIA RELEASE

Spring has sprung in Historic Kailua Village and there is no better time than 1-6 p.m. Sunday, May 16 to meander Alii Drive during the monthly Kokua Kailua Village Stroll. Alii Drive, an otherwise busy thoroughfare, is closed to pedestrians only and it becomes a festive marketplace.

The event brings residents and kamaaina together to enjoy an afternoon in Kailua Village dining in the restaurants, (most offer Kokua Kailua specials), shopping for unique merchandise, and exploring vendor offerings.

May’s event will feature three drawings for a $50 restaurant certificate offered from restaurants within the Kailua Village Business Improvement District. Drawings times are 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. and you must be present to win.

Kokua Kailua volunteers are always welcome. Contact Dorlene Kolina Chao at 936-9202.

Kokua Kailua Village Stroll is sponsored by the Kailua Village Business Improvement District, the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce, Destination Kona Coast, Kailua Village Merchants Association, Hulihee Palace and Pacific Radio Group. The program is designed to rally support for merchants and restaurants and to remind residents to shop, dine and buy local.

Palace concert remembers king who founded Queen’s Medical Center

The Daughters of Hawaii and the Calabash Cousins present a free outdoor concert 4 p.m. Sunday, May 16 at Hulihee Palace to remember the late King Kamehameha IV. Enjoy the voices of the Merrie Monarchs and performing arts by Kumu Hula Etua Lopes and his Halau Na Pua Ui O Hawaii.

The concert is part of the palace’s series of free monthly concerts that honor Hawaii’s past monarchs and historical figures; donations are appreciated.

Bring a beach mat or chair as seating won’t be provided. Concert goers are encouraged to take advantage of the free “chair check” conveniently located across from the palace and enjoy Kokua Kailua.

King Kamehameha IV (Alexander Liholiho) was 21 when he inherited the throne in 1855. He agonized over the dwindling native population that was reduced from 300,000 in 1778 to 70,000 in 1855.

‘Hawaiians had no resistance to the diseases of foreigners and over 6,000 caught smallpox brought to the islands in 1853,’ said Fanny Au Hoy, Hulihee Palace administrator. ‘The king and his Queen Emma pushed for the building of a hospital so Hawaiians could get adequate medical care.’

Liholiho married Emma Naea Rooke in 1856. She was the granddaughter of John Young, Kamehameha’s British advisor and great-granddaughter of Kamehameha’s brother, Keliimaikai.

As was the custom for children in Hawaii to be given to relatives for upbringing, Emma was the hanai (adopted) daughter of Dr. T. C. Rooke, an English physician practicing in Honolulu, and Emma’s Aunt Grace. Brought up by a physician, Emma shared her husband’s values on health.

‘Besides providing personal funds, the royal couple earnestly solicited donations from others,’ Au Hoy said. ‘In 1860, Kamehameha IV laid the cornerstone for the Queen’s Hospital, which he named to honor his wife.’ Today, it is the prestigious Queen’s Medical Center in downtown Honolulu.

Liholiho and his young family visited Hulihee Palace several times, favoring the seaside royal residence for off-island vacations from Honolulu’s busy pace. They also spent time on Kauai near Hanalei and the area was named Princeville after the couple’s son, Prince Albert.

The king died when he was 29, a short time after Prince Albert became fatally ill.

‘Queen Emma became a candidate to the throne in 1874 but lost a heavily contested election to Prince David Kalakaua,’ said Au Hoy, before Queen Emma died at the age of 49 in 1885.

For further information, contact the palace at 329-1877, the palace office at 329-9555 or visit www.daughtersofhawaii.org. The gift shop can be reached by phoning 329-6558.

Next up: Band Concert remembering King Kamehameha I ‘Paiea’ and Kokua Kailua Stroll, June 13.

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