Band Concert Honors Kamehameha the Great

Media Release:

The Daughters of Hawai‘i and the Calabash Cousins present a free concert 4 p.m. Sunday, June 12 at Hulihe‘e Palace to remember the late King Kamehameha I. Enjoy the voices of the Merrie Monarchs and a rousing performance by the Hulihe‘e Palace Band.

The concert is part of the palace’s series of free monthly concerts that honor Hawai‘i’s past monarchs and historical figures; donations are appreciated. Kindly bring a beach mat or chair as seating won’t be provided.

Born circa 1758 in Kohala on the Big Island, 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, Moloka‘i and O‘ahu; he put Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau under his sovereignty by diplomacy. By 1810, the Kingdom of Hawai‘i 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 Fanny Au Hoy, docent coordinator. “He issued an edict protecting women, children and the elderly from arbitrary attack.”

The king 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.

Kamehameha I is the only king to be honored along with George Washington and Robert E. Lee in the National Statuary Hall of the U.S. Capitol. A Polaris nuclear submarine also bears his name.

The palace has several artifacts on display that belonged to the king. One is a large, 180-pound ball made of lava rock for exercising. By standing on the ball and moving it with one’s feet, it trained the user in balance and agility while developing lower body strength. It’s in the Kuakini Room. On the staircase landing leading to the second floor, visitors can view the king’s javelins, the longest measures 22 feet.

Hulihe‘e Palace is open for self-guided tours. Museum hours are 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Hulihe‘e 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.

Due to damage from the March tsunami, the gift shop remains closed for repairs and donations are greatly appreciated. For details, contact the palace at 329-1877, the palace office at 329-9555 or visit www.daughtersofhawaii.org.

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

2011 Hulihe‘e Palace Concert Schedule: 4 p.m. on the palace grounds

• Jan 16: Hula Concert remembering King Kamehameha II “Lunalilo” and Aunty I’olani Luahine
• Feb 20: Band Concert remembering Princess Ruth Ke‘elikolani
• Mar 20: Hula Concert remembering Queen Ka’ahumanu and Prince Kuhio
• 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 Lili‘uokalani
• Oct 16: Hula Concert remembering Princess Kai‘ulani
• 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