MEDIA RELEASE

Historic Kailua Village welcomes the monthly Kokua Kailua event 1-6 p.m. Sunday, May 19. During Kokua Kailua the oceanfront Alii Drive becomes a pedestrian-only walkway.

Dozens of island vendors line the road in addition to the many interesting shops that are open and waiting to be explore. All that strolling can cause an appetite and Historic Kailua Village is home to many of the island’s best eateries serving up whatever you may be hungry for.

The next Kokua Kailua will be Sunday, June 9.

HULIHEE EVENT REMEMBERS KING KAMEHAMEHA IV

The Daughters of Hawaii and Calabsh Cousins present Afternoon at Hulihee 4 p.m. Sunday, May 19 at Hulihee Palace to remember the late King Kamehameha IV.

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

Afternoon at Hulihee is part of the palace’s series of free monthly concerts that honor Hawaii’s past monarchs and historical figures; donations are appreciated. Kindly bring a beach mat or chair as seating won’t be provided.

King Kamehameha IV (Alexander Liholiho) was 21 when he inherited the throne in 1855. He agonized over the dwindling native population that was reduced from 300,000 in 1778 to 70,000 in 1855.

“Hawaiians had no resistance to the diseases of foreigners and over 6,000 caught smallpox brought to the islands in 1853,” said Casey Ballao, docent coordinator. “The king and his Queen Emma pushed for the building of a hospital so Hawaiians could get adequate medical care.”

Brought up by a physician, Emma shared her husband’s values on health. Liholiho married Emma Naea Rooke in 1856. She was the granddaughter of John Young, Kamehameha’s British advisor.

As was the custom for children in Hawaii to be given to relatives for upbringing, Emma was the hanai (adopted) daughter of Dr. T. C. Rooke, an English physician practicing in Honolulu, and Emma’s aunt.

“Besides providing funds, the royal couple earnestly solicited donations from others,” Ballao said. “In 1860, Kamehameha IV laid the cornerstone for the Queen’s Hospital, which he named to honor his wife.”

Today, it is the prestigious Queen’s Medical Center in downtown Honolulu.

The king died when he was 29, a short time after his four-year-old Prince Albert became fatally ill.

“Queen Emma became a candidate to the throne but lost a heavily contested election to Prince David Kalakaua,” Ballao said. “Queen Emma died at the age of 49.”