Come and enjoy an afternoon at Hulihe’e Palace this Sunday, Sept. 16th from 4:00 – 5:00pm in remembrance of Hawaii’s most accomplished royal musician and composer, Queen Lili‘uokalani (1838-1917). The mellow voices of the Merrie Monarchs and the Hulihe‘e Palace Band are scheduled to perform. Kahiko hula to be performed by Na Pua U‘i O Hawai‘i Hula Halau.
Enjoying a wonderful afternoon on the Hulihe’e Palace oceanfront lawn
Queen Lili’uokalani – A Brief History
Born the sister of King Kalakaua, Lili‘uokalani Kamaka‘eha attended the Royal School. She was educated with four other rulers of Hawai‘i. Her given Christian name was Lydia.
“Lydia could read music at an early age and it is thought she had perfect pitch,” says Casey Ballao, the Palace Administrator. “She played piano, ‘ukulele, and the organ — but the zither, which was in vogue in the U.S. and Europe — was her favorite. She also composed music.”
On an 1878 visit to a Windward O‘ahu ranch Lydia received the imagery and inspiration to write the song that became the first well-known Hawaiian tune outside of the Kingdom, “Aloha ‘Oe.” Although Lydia intended it as a love song, the chorus and first verse were the most popular, and the song became known as an island farewell song.
In 1862, Lydia married John Dominis, who would later became the Governor of O‘ahu. She acted as regent when Queen Kapiolani traveled abroad to attend the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoriain 1887.
In 1891, she took the name Lili‘uokalani when it was agreed she was to become heir to the throne. Her reign was tragic, as the monarchy was overthrown in 1893 by American annexationists. The Queen abdicated her throne peacefully under protest. After an unsuccessful counterrevolution, the queen was imprisoned in ‘Iolani Palace for eight months.
After her imprisonment, she was allowed to return to Washington Place, and there she wrote “Hawaii’s Story by Hawai‘i’s Queen.” In 1909, she set up a fund to help the Hawaiian children. Today the Queen Lili‘uokalani Children’s Center helps over 2,000 children annually.
A hui hou!