Yesterday we told you about the Kailua Village Stroll coming up. It’s on Sunday, March 21, 2010 from 1-6 p.m.

In conjunction with that, the Daughters of Hawai√¢‚ǨÀúi and the Calabash Cousins present a free concert at 4 p.m. that day at Hulihe√¢‚ǨÀúe Palace. It’s in memory of Prince Kuhio and Queen Ka√¢‚ǨÀúahumanu.

Enjoy the voices of the Merrie Monarchs accompanied by the Hulihe‘e Palace Band. Kindly bring a beach mat or chair as seating won’t be provided.

Concert goers are encouraged to take advantage of the free “chair check” conveniently located across from the palace and enjoy the Kokua Kailua Village Stroll from 1-6 p.m. During the Village Stroll, Ali’i Drive is turned into a pedestrian mall and musicians and artists take to the street in a fun and festive family atmosphere. Kokua Kailua is sponsored by four local business organizations, Hulihe‘e Palace and Pacific Radio Group.

Known as the Citizen Prince, Kuhio was born on Kaua‘i and raised by his aunt and uncle, Queen Kapiolani and King Kalakaua, to become successor to the royal throne. After Hawai‘i became a U.S. territory, the Republican Party persuaded Kuhio to enter politics.
 
 “Kuhio was named Hawai‘i’s second delegate to the U.S. Congress in 1902 and served the post 10 times,” says Fanny Au Hoy, palace administrator. “Honored today as the father of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Kuhio secured an area of the Big Island’s Kilauea Volcano in 1916 for public enjoyment. He was the driving force behind the development of Pearl Harbor and instituted the Hawaiian Homestead Commission.”
 
Queen Ka‘ahumanu, who hailed from Hana, Maui, was the favorite wife of Kamehameha the Great.  “Though much younger than her husband, Ka‘ahumanu was charismatic, intelligent and politically shrewd,” notes Au Hoy. “Kamehameha granted her the title of kuhina nui (queen regent) upon his death in 1819. Tired of the Hawaiian laws of kapu that forbade women from certain activities, she convinced the throne’s successor, Liholiho, to overturn the kapu system.”
 
After closing for earthquake repairs in December 2007, Hulihe‘e Palace reopened for self-guided tours. Museum and gift shop hours are 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday 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. 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. 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.