MEDIA RELEASE

Continue your Valentine’s revelry with a romantic stroll with someone special along oceanfront Alii Drive, which becomes a pedestrian-only walkway during Kokua Kailua 1-6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17.

The next Kokua Kailua is Sunday, March 17.

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 honors Hawaiian princess

The Daughters of Hawaii and Calabash Cousins present Afternoon at Hulihee on Sunday, Feb. 17. The 4 p.m. event on the grounds of Hulihee Palace remembers the late Princess Ruth Keelikolani.

The event presents the Merrie Monarchs 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.

Princess Ruth (1826-1883) was the half-sister of King Kamehameha IV and V. She inherited Hulihee after the death of her husband, William Pitt Leleiohoku; he was the adopted son of John Adams Kuakini. Kuakini built the palace in 1838 after erecting Mokuaikaua Church, which sits directly across from the palace on Alii Drive.

A tall woman of great girth, Princess Ruth outlived all of her husbands and children. Ancient Hawaiians, who were known for their statuesque presence, saw beauty in great size.

“Ruth used the palace for entertaining her royal kin but preferred to sleep in a grass house she had built on the palace grounds,” said Casey Ballao, docent coordinator. “The upstairs Kohala bedroom is dedicated to the princess and contains some of her personal furniture, including a large armchair and bedstead, both made of koa, and her coconut wood hatbox.”

2013 Afternoon at Hulihee schedule

All Afternoons at Hulihe’e present hula by Na Pua Ui O Hawaii Hula Halau and vocals by the Merrie Monarchs. Some events also include the Hulihe’e 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

— Find out more:
www.HistoricKailuaVillage.com
www.daughtersofhawaii.org