Categorized | Entertainment

Put the mele in your kalikimaka at Kokua Kailua (Dec. 16)

MEDIA RELEASE

Historic Kailua Village’s Kokua Kailua is 1-6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16 will include Kailua Village Business Improvement District’s gift to the community, a special concert by Na Hoku Hanohano 2012 Male Vocalist of the Year Kuana Torres Kahele.

Joining Torres Kahele will be kumu hula Etua Lopes and his Halau Hula Na Pua Ui O Hawaii.

The Hilo-born Torres Kahele formed multi-award winning Na Palapalai in 1995 with Kehau Tamure and they have performed to wide acclaim.

Fans know him for his incredible vocal range, while fellow musicians seek him out for his arranging, songwriting and producing abilities. He has garnered thirteen Na Hoku awards in just two years.

His 2011 solo CD, Kaunaloa, was a project with songs that, according to Torres Kahele, took a lifetime to create. The CD went on to win seven Na Hoku Hanohano awards in 2012 tying Kealii Reichel for the most ever from any Hawaiian artist.

This holiday season, Torres Kahele’s Hilo for the Holidays takes listeners on a musical ride to his hometown with a delightful collection of classic and new songs in both Hawaiian and English which he will perform at Kokua Kailua beginning at 5 p.m. Dec. 16 at Emma’s Square.

Etua Lopes has been teaching hula for more than 25 years. Most of those years he has taught his Halau Hula Na Pua Ui O Hawaii at Hulihee Palace. He is the only kumu hula that has the honor and privilege of teaching on the royal grounds.

Shop, dine and enjoy Historic Kailua Village’s Kailua Kalikimaka and Kokua Kailua! The next Kokua Kailua is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 13.

Kokua Kailua Village Stroll is sponsored by the Kailua Village Business Improvement District, Destination Kona Coast, Kailua Village Merchants Association, Hulihee Palace, West Hawaii Today and Pacific Radio Group.

PALACE EVENT REMEMBERS PRINCESS

Enjoy a free Afternoon at Hulihee Palace 4-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16 to remember the late Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop.

Presenting hula and serenade by the Merrie Monarchs, the event is part of a year-long series that honors Hawaii’s past monarchs and historical figures; donations are appreciated. Kindly bring a beach mat or chair as seating won’t be provided.

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, Kamehameha 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,” said Casey Ballao, Hulihee Palace docent coordinator. “She believed education could be the answer to help her people.”

The document 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,” Ballao 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 Keelikolani died, Pauahi received her entire estate (including Hulihee 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.

2013 Afternoon at Hulihee schedule

All Afternoons at Hulihee present hula by Na Pua Ui O Hawaii Hula Halau and vocals by the Merrie Monarchs. Some events also include the Hulihee Palace Band and are noted below. On band dates, only kahiko hula is showcased. Other events offer a full hula show.

Jan. 13: Band appearance remembering King Charles “Lunalilo” and Aunty Iolani Luahine

Feb. 17: Event remembering Princess Ruth Keelikolani

March 17: Band appearance remembering Queen Kaahumanu and Prince Kuhio

April 21: Event remembering Prince Edward Albert

May 19: Event remembering King Kamehameha IV “Alexander Liholiho”

June 9: Band appearance remembering King Kamehameha I “Paiea”

July 21: Event remembering John Adams Kuakini

Aug. 18: Event remembering King Kamehameha III “Kauikeaouli”

Sept. 15: Band appearance remembering Queen Liliuokalani

Oct. 20: Event remembering Princess Kaiulani

Nov. 17: Band appearance remembering King Kalakaua, Palace Curator Aunty Lei Collins and Bandmaster Charles “Bud” Dant

Dec. 15: Event remembering Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop

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