The late King Kamehameha IV, Alexander Liholiho, will be remembered from 4 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Hulihee Palace in Kailua Village.
Presenting serenade by the Merrie Monarch and the Hulihee Palace West Hawaii County Band and performing arts by Kumu Hula Etua Lopes and his Halau Na Pua Ui O Hawaii, the free event is part of a yearlong series that honors Hawaii’s past monarchs and historical figures.
Liholiho was 21 when he inherited the throne in 1855. He agonized over the dwindling native population that declined from 300,000 in 1778 to 70,000 in 1855. The king and his Queen Emma pushed for the building of a hospital so that Hawaiians could get adequate care. They did so by providing funds as well as soliciting donations from others to build what is today’s The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu.
The king died when he was 29, a short time after his 4-year-old Prince Albert became fatally ill. A crib used by the prince, during a visit to Kona, is on display at Hulihee Palace.
Hulihee Palace is open for docent-guided and self-guided tours. Museum hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays. Following the monthly Kokua Kailua Village Stroll, the palace is open 1 to 4 p.m. on Monday. Admission for a self-guided tour is $8 for adults, $6 for kamaaina, military and seniors, and $1 for keiki 18 years and younger. Docent-guided tours are available upon request.
Attendees of Afternoon at Hulihee should bring a beach mat or chair because seating won’t be provided. Donations will be accepted.
Info: 329-1877, 329-9555 or www.daughtersofhawaii.org.