MEDIA RELEASE

Historic Kailua Village will once again ramp up the fun for Kokua Kailua on Sunday, May 20.

There are those who anticipate Kokua Kailua, mark their calendars, and come each and every month. And there are those who have yet to discover this monthly event when oceanfront Alii Drive is transformed into a pedestrian-only walkway 1-6 p.m.

Kokua Kailua presents kamaaina and visitors a unique opportunity to stroll in and out of the array of shops and restaurants in Historic Kailua Village. And there is the added bonus of dozens of vendors lining Alii Drive with tempting island-made crafts, art, and more.

Hulihee event remembers Liholiho

The Daughters of Hawaii present Afternoon at Hulihee 4 p.m. Sunday, May 20 at Hulihee Palace to remember the late King Kamehameha IV.

Enjoy the voices of the Merrie Monarchs and hula by Kumu Hula Etua Lopes and his Halau Na Pua Ui O Hawaii.

Afternoon at Hulihee is part of the palace’s series of free monthly events that honor Hawaii’s past monarchs and historical figures; donations are appreciated.

Kindly bring a beach mat or chair as seating won’t be provided.

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 Casey Ballao, Hulihee Palace docent coordinator. “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,” Ballao 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,” Ballao said.

Queen Emma died at the age of 49 in 1885.

2012 Schedule

June 10: Band appearance remembering King Kamehameha I “Paiea”

July 15: Event remembering John Adams Kuakini

Aug. 26: Event remembering King Kamehameha III “Kauikeaouli”

Sept. 16: Band appearance remembering Queen Liliuokalani

Oct. 21: Event remembering Princess Kaiulani

Nov. 18: Band appearance remembering King Kalakaua, Palace Curator Aunty Lei Collins and Bandmaster Charles “Bud” Dant

Dec. 16: Event remembering Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop