Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 22, Number 11, 1 November 2005 — Celebrating a royal birthday [ARTICLE]

Celebrating a royal birthday

By Manu Buyd Puhlie lnfūrmatiDn Directūr Eaeh year, 'Iolani Palaee is festooned in colorful bunting in celebration of King Kalākaua's birthday on Nov. 16. This year, palaee celebrations of the king's birthday include a perfonnance by the Royal Hawaiian Band and a Royal Guard review, along with a special wine-tasting event to benefit an exhibit on the "King's Wine cellar." Born in 1836, David La'amea Kalākaua became the seventh ruler of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1874 and built an impressive palaee named 'Iolani (royal hawk) as his royal residence. (Several previous royal structures had also been called 'lolani.) The name "Kalākaua" means "the day of battle," and was inherited from one of the king's kūpuna kahiko (ancestors). King Kalākaua is remembered as the "Merrie Monarch," and is credited with the revival of many traditional practices and art fonns, including hula, previously banned by American missionaries. The king also established Hale Nauā, a

secret society of kāhuna (experts) in traditional arts. In 1881, King Kalākaua embarked on his around-the-world tour, giving him the distinction of being the first world sovereign to circumnavigate the globe. A true renaissance man, King Kalākaua met with Thomas Edison and made arrangements to have electricity installed at 'Iolani - well before electric lights illuminated the White House. The son of High Chief Ceaser Kapa'akea and High Chiefess Keohokālole, Kalākaua, his brother Leleiōhoku and sisters Likelike and Lili'u are collectively known as "Nā Lani 'Ehā" (the four royal ones), all noted eomposers of Hawaiian music and poetry. Among Kalākaua's bestknown compositions are "Hawai'i Pono'f ' and "Koni Au i ka Wai." King Kalākaua was married to lulia Kapi'olani, granddaughter of King Kaumuali'i, last independent ruler of Kaua'i and Ni'ihau. Her sister, Kinoiki Kekaulike, has many heirs today - namely, the Kawānanakoa family. In honor of his royal wife, King Kalākaua

established a vast park in Waikīkī that to this day bears her name, "Kapi'olani," meaning "arch of heaven." While on a visit to San Francisco in 1891, King Kalākaua died at the Palaee Hotel, leaving his sister Lili'uokalani as his heir and successor. In honor of the king's 169th birthday, the Royal Hawaiian Band will perform at the palaee Wed., Nov. 16 at 11:30 a.m., followed by a review of The Royal Guard. Guided tours of the palaee are available at discounted kama'āina rates. On Fri., Nov. 18, a wine-tast-ing benefit for the King's Wine Cellar Exhibition is scheduled, and will be held in the 'Iolani Barracks on the Richards Street end of the palaee grounds. Food pairings based on original palaee menus and wine tasting featuring selections by Master Sommelier Chuck Furuya are among event highlights. Tickets are $85 per person. Reservations may be made by calling 522-0822. E ola 'o ka Lani a mau loa! □