Enjoy a free Afternoon at Hulihe‘e Palace Sunday, Jan. 13. The 4 p.m. event on the grounds of Hulihe‘e Palace remembers the late King Lunalilo and past palace curator I‘olani Luahine.
The cultural and musical event presents the Hulihe‘e Palace Band, the Merrie Monarchs and Hawaiian performing arts by Kumu Hula Etua Lopes and his Halau Na Pua U‘i O Hawai‘i. Kindly bring a beach mat or chair, as seating won’t be provided.
King Charles Lunalilo (1835-1874) was known as the “people’s king,” as he was popular with all his subjects. During his abbreviated, 390-day reign, Lunalilo encouraged the legislature to remove property qualifications for the right to vote and asked for the separation of the legislature into two houses. He also thought the kingdom should give Pearl Harbor to the U.S. in exchange for duty-free Hawaiian sugar into California.
“During Lunalilo’s short reign, he tried to make the kingdom’s government more democratic,” noted Casey Ballao, palace docent coordinator. “His efforts were cut short by tuberculosis.”
I‘olani Luahine (1915-1978) served as curator of Hulihe‘e Palace from 1973 to 1978. She was born Harriet Lanihau Makekau in Napoopoo, but was renamed I‘olani, after the Hawaiian hawk. Luahine was a master of hula and named a “Living Treasure” in 1972; she was invited three times to perform at the National Folk Festival in Washington, D.C.
Hulihe‘e Palace is open for self-guided tours from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Palace admission, which includes a self-guided tour brochure, remains $6 for adults, $4 for seniors and $1 for keiki under 18. Volunteer docents are available starting at 10 a.m. to give guided tours. For details, contact the palace at 329-1877, the palace office at 329-9555 or visit www.daughtersofhawaii.org. The gift shop can be reached by phoning 329-6558.
Caretakers of Hulihe‘e Palace are the Daughters of Hawai‘i and the Calabash Cousins. The Daughters 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, in which membership is available to all.
Here is the complete 2013 Afternoon at Hulihe‘e schedule, all events set for 4 to 5 p.m. on the palace grounds.
All Afternoons at Hulihe‘e present hula by Na Pua U‘i O Hawai‘i 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 I‘olani Luahine;
— Feb. 17: Event remembering Princess Ruth Ke‘elikolani;
— March 17: Band appearance remembering Queen Ka‘ahumanu 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 Lili‘uokalani;
— Oct. 20: Event remembering Princess Ka‘iulani;
— Nov. 17: Band appearance remembering King Kalakaua, Palace Curator Aunty Lei Collins and Bandmaster Charles “Bud” Dant, and
— Dec. 15: Event remembering Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop.
