MEDIA RELEASE

Kailua Kalikimaka welcomes award-winning Hawaiian music entertainer Amy Hanaialii Gilliom to the stage as part of Historic Kailua Village’s monthly Kokua Kailua Village Stroll on Sunday, Dec. 12.

Kokua Kailua begins at 1pm. Hanaialii will perform at Emma’s Square on Alii Drive from 5pm until 6pm.

Hanaialii’s talent is the result of an exceptional blend of classical training, modern musical influences and heritage. Raised on Maui, the sounds of cultural chants, ancestral drum beats and kani ka pila (music played with family and friends) melded for Hanaialii with oceans, mountains, and abundant wildlife.

While attending the United States International University in San Diego, Calif., she received formal training in European classical music, jazz, blues, American standards and pop but it was her grandmother, Jennie Napua Woodd, that was one of Hanaialii’s biggest influencers.

Tutu Jennie inspired Hanaialii to grow in Hawaiian music. From Genoa Keawe, she learned hai and brought a new appreciation for the art of Hawaiian female falsetto style for which she is known today.

Today, after 10 albums, Hanaialii remains Hawaii’s top-selling female vocalist. She has opened shows for Carlos Santana, Willie Nelson, Joe Cocker, Wayne Newton, Arlo Guthrie, The Beach Boys, Ernie Watts, Boz Scaggs, Earth, Wind and Fire, Sergio Mendes and many more and toured extensively in the U.S., Germany, China, Tahiti and Japan.

Hanaialii’s accolades include three Grammy nominations for Best Hawaiian Music Album, 15 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, including the prestigious Female Vocalist of the Year (4 times), Hawaiian Album of the Year (3 times), Song of the Year, Group of the Year, Contemporary Album of the Year and even Christmas Album of the Year.

Bring your own chair and it will be checked for free at Emma’s Square pre-concert.

—

The Daughters of Hawaii present a free concert 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12 at Hulihee Palace to honor Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop (1831-1884).

Enjoy the voices of the Merrie Monarchs and Hawaiian performing arts by Kumu Hula Etua Lopes and his hula halau, Na Pua Ui O Hawaii.

Princess Bernice Pauahi is most well known as the benefactress of Kamehameha Schools. A great-granddaughter of Kamehameha I, she came of age during the Victorian Era. She was well liked and very private.

When her cousin, Kamehamaha V, chose her as his successor in 1872, she declined. Her refusal ended the Kamehameha Dynasty.

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 docent coordinator. “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 as Kamehameha Schools today, 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 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 Hulihe‘e Palace) and this inheritance comprised the major portion of Pauahi’s landholdings.

The princess died a year later in 1884. To honor his wife, Charles founded the Bishop Museum in 1889 to house the royal family heirlooms and her extensive collection of Hawaiian artifacts.