The King Kamehameha I will be remembered from 4-5 p.m. Sunday at Hulihee Palace in Kailua Village.
The King Kamehameha I will be remembered from 4-5 p.m. Sunday at Hulihee Palace in Kailua Village.
Presenting serenade by the Merrie Monarch and the Hulihee Palace West Hawaii County Band and performing arts by Kumu Hula Etua Lopes and his Halau Na Pua Ui O Hawaii, the free event is part of a yearlong series that honors Hawaii’s past monarchs and historical figures.
The performance marks the 40th anniversary of the band and the Merrie Monarchs glee club. The two organizations were founded in 1976 by the late bandmaster Bud Dant and the late palace curator and performer, Aunty Lei Collins.
Born in 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 Jolee Chip, 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.
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.
Info: 329-1877, 329-9555 or www.daughtersofhawaii.org.