MEDIA RELEASE
The Daughters of Hawaii and the Calabash Cousins present a free concert 4 p.m. Sunday, March 15 at Hulihee Palace to remember Prince Kuhio and Queen Kaahumanu.Â
The Merrie Monarchs will be accompanied by the Hulihee Palace Band. Bring a beach mat or chair as seating won’t be provided.
Concert goers are encouraged to take advantage of the free “chair check†across from the palace and enjoy the Kokua Kailua Village Stroll from 1-6 p.m.Â
During the Village Stroll, Alii Drive is turned into a pedestrian mall as musicians and artists take to the street. Kokua Kailua is sponsored by four local business organizations, Hulihee Palace and KWXX radio.
Known as the Citizen Prince, Kuhio was born on Kauai and raised by his aunt and uncle, Queen Kapiolani and King Kalakaua, to become successor to the royal throne.Â
After Hawaii became a U.S. territory, the Republican Party persuaded Kuhio to enter politics. He was named Hawaii’s second delegate to the U.S. Congress in 1902 and served the post 10 times.Â
Honored today as the father of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kuhio secured an area of the Big Island’s Kilauea Volcano in 1916 for public use. He was the driving force behind the development of Pearl Harbor and instituted the Hawaiian Homestead Commission.
Queen Kaahumanu, who hailed from Hana, Maui, was the favorite wife of Kamehameha the Great.Â
Though much younger than her husband, Kaahumanu was charismatic, intelligent and politically shrewd. Kamehameha granted her the title of kuhina nui (queen regent) upon his death in 1819.Â
Tired of the Hawaiian laws of kapu that forbade women from certain activities, she convinced the throne’s successor, Liholiho, to overturn the kapu system.
Hulihee Palace has been closed for repairs since December 2007; the historic landmark suffered $1.5 million in damages from the October 2006 earthquake. It is expected to reopen this spring.Â
A Hulihee Restoration Fund has been set up and tax-deductible donations are appreciated.  Mail donations to Hulihe‘e Palace, 75-5718 Alii Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740. Â
  Â
—
Â
Additional palace concert dates for 2009:
April 26: featuring Kumu Hula Etua Lopes and his Halau Na Pua Ui O Hawaii
May 17: featuring Kumu Hula Etua Lopes and his Halau Na Pua Ui O Hawaiii
June 14: featuring the Hulihee Palace band
July 26: featuring Kumu Hula Etua Lopes and his Halau Na Pua Ui O Hawaii
Aug. 23: featuring Kumu Hula Etua Lopes and his Halau Na Pua Ui O Hawaii
Sept. 20: featuring the Hulihee Palace band
Oct. 18: featuring Kumu Hula Etua Lopes and his Halau Na Pua Ui O Hawaii
Nov. 15: featuring the Hulihee Palace band
Dec. 13: featuring Kumu Hula Etua Lopes and his Halau Na Pua Ui O Hawaii