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Five monarchs ruled the Kingdom of Hawaii under the Kamehameha name. The first three had close ties to the lands of Keauhou: Kamehameha I and his two sons who succeeded him as Kamehameha II and Kamehameha III.

Hawaii’s longest reigning monarch, Kamehameha III (Kauikeaouli) was born near Hookuku at Keauhou Bay and was proclaimed king in 1825 when his older brother, Kamehameha II, died of measles while in London.

Since he was so young, he shared the early years of his reign under a regency with Kaahumanu, his father’s favorite queen, and later after her death with Kinau, the dowager queen and his half-sister.

Kamehameha III ruled during a time of great transition in Hawaii with ever increasing pressure from foreign conflicts and the arrival of diseases that decimated Native Hawaiians. He believed education was the key to the survival of his people. By the end of his 30-year reign, Hawaii was one of the most literate nations in the world.

In honor of this great Alii, Kamehameha Investment Corporation presents a weekend tribute to his legacy.

The celebration begins Friday, March 16, 2012 with the annual commemoration of his birth presented by the Daughters of Hawaii, Royal Order of Kamehameha and Kamehameha Investment Corporation.

The moving tribute begins at 10 a.m. at Keauhou Bay close to where Kauikeaouli was stillborn and revived. This site is marked with new interpretive signage developed by Kamehameha Investment Corporation with the support of the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

Keanu Sai

Later that day, noted lecturer Dr. Keanu Sai will deliver a presentation, ‘1893 Executive Agreements and their Profound Impacts Today,’ as part of the continuing Puana Ka Ike Lecture series.

The public is welcome to the 5:30 p.m. presentation at the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa. Admission is free.

On Saturday, March 17, outrigger canoe races start the day as the Keauhou Canoe Club’s Kuuipo Race gets underway at Keauhou Bay. Named for the late Eda “Kuuipo” Hinchcliff, a long time paddler for Keauhou and other West Hawaii canoe clubs, this race series has something for every level of paddler.

The Keauhou Canoe Club’s Race series includes a short course, long course, and new this year is the Kauikeaouli 6-man canoe race. Named after Hawaii’s longest reigning monarch, Kauikeaouli, this recreational race starts at 7 am at Keauhou Bay. Paddlers will race from Keauhou to Kahaluu and back. All canoe races cross the finish line inside Keauhou Bay.

From 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 17, Kamehameha Investment Corporation hosts the 12th Annual Kamehameha III Birthday Concert the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa.

The evening concert begins with hula performances featuring Halau Hula Ka Noeau with Kumu Hula Michael Pili Pang, Aoia and Royal Order of Kamehameha I with 2011 Hula Palua winners.

Then starting at 7 p.m., the concert under the stars continues with traditional Hawaiian musical performances by Marlene Sai, Michael Kaawa, Nani Lim and the Ladies of Na Lei O Kaholoku, Lorna Lim, Hiram and Casey Olson, Mahela Ichinose, Gary AIko, Ed Yap, Nina Kealiiwahamana, Natalie Deisroth, Iaukea Bright, Nephi Brown and other surprise performances guaranteed to delight the crowd. Admission is free.

Concert Trolley is available from Keauhou Beach Resort and the Keauhou Shopping Center starting at 4 p.m. Last trolley leaves concert at 10:30 p.m.

In the Hawaiian language Poke means to slice, cut crosswise into pieces, as with fish. Poke, served in five-star restaurants and backyard BBQs, is one of Hawaii’s favorite foods. The excitement is building as Kamehameha Investment Corporation showcases the First Annual Sam Choy’s Keauhou Poke Contest on Sunday, March 18 at the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa.

The event kicks off at 10 a.m. when Poke recipes take center stage in the professional and non-professional division finals. Poke fans will reel in their best recipes as they compete for over $10,000 in cash and prizes. All Poke recipes must include Hawaiian fish or seafood and the creative use of ogo or other seaweeds will be encouraged.

Public tastings will be offered at 12:30 a.m. as the winners are announced. An Island Marketplace, guest cooking demonstrations and a presentation on sustainable aquaculture by Guy Toyama of Friends of NELHA will also be a part of this exciting event. Admission is $3 at the door, keiki 12 and under are free.

Poke Contest Trolley shuttle runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. from Keauhou Shopping Center near Long’s Drugs to the Sheraton Keauhou Convention Center.

Proceeds from the First Annual Sam Choy’s Keauhou Poke Contest will benefit Hawaii Community College Palamanui Culinary Arts program.

The First Annual Sam Choy’s Keauhou Poke Contest sponsors include Kamehameha Investment Corporation, Kamehameha Schools, Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa and Aloha Shoyu.

Kamehameha Investment Corporation, Inc., a subsidiary of Bishop Holdings, Inc. – the for-profit arm of Kamehameha Schools, is responsible for the cultural assets and planned development of Keauhou, a 2,400-acre fully integrated destination community located five miles south of Kailua-Kona.

— Find out more:
www.keauhouresort.com