MEDIA RELEASE

Start off your New Year at Historic Kailua Village’s monthly Kokua Kailua Village Stroll. 2011’s inaugural Kokua Kailua stroll is 1-6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 16 along scenic oceanfront Alii Drive which becomes a pedestrian-only thoroughfare.

Kokua Kailua is always a fun way to spend an afternoon perusing wares offered from local merchants and vendors. Following an afternoon of shopping and strolling, enjoy a variety of food and drink in any one of Kailua Village’s tasty eateries.

Restaurant certificate drawings will take place at 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 5:45 p.m.

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.

Hulihee Palace kicks off 2011 concerts

The Daughters of Hawaii and Calabash Cousins present their first free monthly concert for 2011 at Hulihee Palace on Sunday, Jan. 16.

The 4 p.m. performance remembers the late King Lunalilo and past palace curator, Iolani Luahine. Enjoy the voices of the Merrie Monarchs and and Hawaiian performing arts by Kumu Hula Etua Lopes and his Halau Na Pua Ui O Hawaii.

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

King William Lunalilo (1835-1874) was known as the “people’s king” as he was popular with all his subjects. During his abbreviated, 390-day reign, Lunalilo advocated the legislature to remove property qualifications for the right to vote and asked for the separation of the legislature into two houses.

He also thought the kingdom should give Pearl Harbor to the U.S. in exchange for duty-free Hawaiian sugar into California.

“During Lunalilo’s short reign, he tried to make the kingdom’s government more democratic,” said Fanny Au Hoy, palace docent coordinator. “His efforts were cut short by tuberculosis.”

Iolani Luahine (1915-1978) served as curator of Hulihee Palace from 1973 to 1978. She was born Harriet Lanihau Makekau in Napoopoo, but was renamed Iolani, after the Hawaiian hawk.

Luahine was a master of hula and named a “Living Treasure” in 1972; she was invited three times to perform at the National Folk Festival in Washington D.C.

2011 Hulihee Palace Concert Schedule: 4 p.m. on the palace grounds

Jan. 16: Hula Concert remembering King Kamehameha II “Lunalilo” and Aunty Iolani Luahine

Feb. 20: Band Concert remembering Princess Ruth Keelikolani

March 20: Hula Concert remembering Queen Kaahumanu and Prince Kuhio

April 17: Hula Concert remembering Prince Albert

May 15: Hula Concert remembering King Kamehameha IV “Alexander Liholiho”

June 12: Band Concert remembering King Kamehameha I “Paiea”

July 17: Hula Concert remembering John Adams Kuakini

Aug. 14: Hula Concert remembering King Kamehameha III “Kauikeaouli”

Sept. 18: Band Concert remembering Queen Liliuokalani

Oct. 16: Hula Concert remembering Princess Kaiulani

Nov. 20: Band Concert remembering King Kalakaua, Palace Curator Aunty Lei Collins and Bandmaster Charles “Bud” Dant

Dec. 18: Hula Concert remembering Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop