MEDIA RELEASE

Historic Kailua Village’s monthly Kokua Kailua Village Stroll is 1-6 p.m. Sunday, March 20 along Alii Drive.

Vendor space has once again sold out so the afternoon promises to be perfect for anyone looking to enjoy a family-friendly fun afternoon strolling the oceanfront walkway while shopping for unique one-of-a-kind items, arts, crafts and more.

Watch for local merchant specials offered only during Kokua Kailua. And plan to come with hungry as there is always excellent food available from Kailua Village’s many eateries.

Restaurant certificate drawings will take place at 2:30, 3:30 and 5:45 p.m. and a free Hawaiian music concert takes place at 4 p.m. on the lawn at Hulihee Palace.

The next Kokua Kailua Village Stroll date is scheduled for Sunday, April 17, 2011.

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.

Palace band concert remembers Prince Kuhio

The Daughters of Hawaii and the Calabash Cousins present a free concert 4 p.m. Sunday, March 20 at Hulihee Palace to remember the Prince Kuhio and Queen Kaahumanu.

Enjoy the voices of the Merrie Monarchs accompanied by the Hulihee Palace Band. Kindly bring a beach mat or chair as seating won’t be provided.

Concert goers are encouraged to take advantage of the free “chair check” conveniently located across from the palace and enjoy the Kokua Kailua Village Stroll.

Known as the Citizen Prince, Kuhio was born on Kauai and raised by his aunt and uncle, Queen Kapiolani and King Kalakaua, to become successor to the royal throne. After Hawaii became a U.S. territory, the Republican Party persuaded Kuhio to enter politics.

“Kuhio was named Hawaii’s second delegate to the U.S. Congress in 1902 and served the post 10 times,” said Fanny Au Hoy, palace administrator. “Honored today as the father of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kuhio secured an area of the Big Island’s Kilauea Volcano in 1916 for public enjoyment. He was the driving force behind the development of Pearl Harbor and instituted the Hawaiian Homestead Commission.”

Queen Kaahumanu, who hailed from Hana, Maui, was the favorite wife of Kamehameha the Great.

“Though much younger than her husband, Kaahumanu was charismatic, intelligent and politically shrewd,” Au Hoy said. “Kamehameha granted her the title of kuhina nui (queen regent) upon his death in 1819. Tired of the Hawaiian laws of kapu that forbade women from certain activities, she convinced the throne’s successor, Liholiho, to overturn the kapu system.”

Hulihee Palace is open for self-guided tours. Museum and gift shop hours are 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Hulihee Palace admission, which at this time includes a self-guided tour brochure, remains $6 for adults, $4 for seniors and $1 for keiki under 18. Volunteer docents are sometimes available to give guided tours.

For details, contact the palace at 329-1877, the palace office at 329-9555 or visit www.daughtersofhawaii.org

Caretakers of Hulihee Palace are the Daughters of Hawaii. The organization was founded in 1903 and opens membership to any woman who is directly descended from a person who lived in Hawaii prior to 1880. Helping the Daughters in its efforts since 1986 are the Calabash Cousins; membership is available to all.

2011 Hulihee Palace Concert Schedule

Apr 17: Hula Concert remembering Prince Albert
May 15: Hula Concert remembering King Kamehameha IV “Alexander Liholiho”
Jun 12: Band Concert remembering King Kamehameha I “Paiea”
Jul 17: Hula Concert remembering John Adams Kuakini
Aug 14: Hula Concert remembering King Kamehameha III “Kauikeaouli”
Sep 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