The late Princess Bernice Pauahi will be remembered from 4 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Hulihee Palace.
The late Princess Bernice Pauahi will be remembered from 4 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Hulihee Palace.
Presenting hula and serenade by the Merrie Monarchs, the free event is part of a yearlong series that honors Hawaii’s past monarchs and historical figures.
Pauahi is most well-known as the benefactress of Kamehameha Schools. A great-granddaughter of Kamehameha I, she came of age during the Victorian Era. When her cousin, Kamehameha V, chose her as his successor in 1872, she declined. Her refusal ended the Kamehameha Dynasty.
During her lifetime, the princess witnessed the physical and social decline of Hawaiians. Some foreigners brought disease — the native population dwindled from 400,000 in 1778 to fewer than 45,000 a century later — and controlled most commerce. Missionaries introduced a new value system.
“Distressed by the plight of her people, Princess Pauahi created a will in 1883 as an instrument of change,” said Jolee Chip, Hulihee Palace docent coordinator. “She believed education could be the answer to help her people.”
The document established a charitable land trust overseen by trustees to improve the well-being of Hawaiians. It operates as Kamehameha Schools today.
Pauahi married Charles Reed Bishop in 1850. She and Bishop shared a love for traveling, teaching and entertaining and the couple became astute property managers. When her favorite cousin, Princess Ruth Keelikolani died, Pauahi received her entire estate (including Hulihee Palace) and this inheritance comprised the major portion of Pauahi’s landholdings. The princess died a year later in 1884. To honor his wife, Charles founded the Bishop Museum in 1889 to house the royal family heirlooms and her extensive collection of Hawaiian artifacts.
Hulihee Palace is open for docent-guided and self-guided tours. Museum hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays. Following the monthly Kokua Kailua Village Stroll, the palace is open 1 to 4 p.m. on Monday. Admission for a self-guided tour is $8 for adults, $6 for kamaaina, military and seniors, and $1 for keiki 18 years and younger. Docent-guided tours are available upon request.
Attendees of Afternoon at Hulihee should bring a beach mat or chair because seating won’t be provided. Donations will be accepted.
The next Afternoon at Hulihee is Jan. 17 and will remember King Charles “Lunalilo” and Aunty Iolani Luahine.
Info: 329-1877, 329-9555 or www.daughtersofhawaii.org.