Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 32, Number 3, 1 Malaki 2015 — REMEMBERING HAWAIʻI'S ROYALTY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

REMEMBERING HAWAIʻI'S ROYALTY

Eaeh December, The Friends of 'lolani Palaee invite visitors to enjoy a unique palaee tradition, the Queen Kapi'olani Evening Tours at 'lolani Palaee. Recently, the tour took plaee on Dec. 27 to commemorate the 1 80th anniversary of the birth of Her Majesty Queen Kapi'olani, whose birthday falls on Dec. 31 . The event, whieh celebrates the queen's life and the Hawaiian monarchy as a whole, was a rare opportunity for visitors to step back in time and experience the palaee as it was during the 1 9th century. Guests were greeted at the front doors of the palaee with glimmering holiday decorations illuminated by the glow of electric bulbs, as singer Desiree Cruz crooned from the second-floor makai lānai. Soloists from the Mae Z. Orvis Opera Studio of the Hawai'i Opera Theatre performed in the Blue Room and a string trio played in the Throne Room, as they would have during the monarchy period. Visitors walked the famous koa staircase to the second floor, and, just as celebrated musicians serenaded the guests at Kalākaua's holiday soirees, Puamana and Mahiehie sang music from Na Lani 'Ehā, the "Royal Four," a reference to the four royal siblings, King Kalākaua, Queen Lili'uokalani, Prince Leleiohoku and Princess Likelike who were known for their talent in composing and performing music. Pictured is docent Dolores "Loheanahe" Oakes as she shared the story of Hawai'i's last queen, Lili'uokalani, in what was onee her imprisonment room, where she began to work on the quilt that is on display there today. - Photo: KaiMarkell