Afternoon at Hulihe‘e takes place today in Kailua-Kona

The Daughters of Hawaii and the Calabash Cousins will present their next Afternoon at Hulihe‘e at 4 p.m. today at Hulihe‘e Palace to remember King Kamehameha I, Paiea (1738-1819).

Enjoy the voices of the Merrie Monarchs, performing arts by Kumu Hula Etua Lopes and his Halau Na Pua U‘i O Hawaii and the Hulihe‘e Palace Band. Afternoon at Hulihe‘e is part of the palace’s series of free monthly concerts that honor Hawaii’s monarchs and other historical figures; donations are appreciated.

Please bring a beach mat or chair, as seating won’t be provided.

Born in North Kohala, Kamehameha moved the heavy naha stone as a teen — a feat that prophesied he would rule the island chain. In battle, Kamehameha overtook the Big Island, Maui, Molokai and Oahu; he put Kauai and Niihau under his sovereignty by diplomacy. By 1810, the Kingdom of Hawaii was established and Kamehameha moved his court from Waikiki to Kailua-Kona.

“After Kamehameha formed his island kingdom he attempted to modify the impact of war on innocent citizens caught in the conflict,” says Casey Ballao, docent coordinator. “He issued an edict protecting women, children and the elderly from arbitrary attack.”

Kamehameha also instituted a law to protect the weak from the strong, recalling a blow he suffered as a young warrior when his foot was caught in a rock crevice. The opponent hit Kamehameha with a canoe paddle that splintered at impact and the command later became known as the Law of the Splintered Paddle.

The king died in 1819 in Kailua-Kona.

Hulihe‘e Palace is open for docent-guided and self-guided tours. For details, contact the palace at 329-1877, the palace office at 329-9555 or visit www.daughtersofhawaii.org.