KVBID Launches Guided Walking Tours of Historic Kailua Village
Happens On Wednesday Cruise Ship Days
Historic Kailua Village - The Kailua Village Business Improvement District (KVBID) is rolling out another exciting initiative in Historic Kailua Village on Wednesday Cruise Ship Days. Visitors and kamaʻaina are invited to meet up at 9:30 am for a free and guided Historic Walking Tour of Historic Kailua Village.
“The village of Kailua has been a place where people have gathered for centuries. As you walk through Historic Kailua Village, you’ll discover for yourself that special feeling that made Kailua so appealing to Hawaiian royalty of yesteryear still exists today,” said KVBID Chair Jay Rubenstein.
Leading the Way
Noted kumu hula Palena Keeling who grew up in Kailua Village will provide lots of info on the history of the village, Hawaiian culture, and local insight. In her spare time, she leads Kaulana Na Pua Halau where she uses hula and Hawaiian culture to help at-risk youth.
The Historic Walking Tour begins at the banyan tree (a gift from Queen Kapiolani) adjacent to Kailua Pier, continues to Kamakahonu, Ahuʻena Heiau, Mokuaikaua Church, through the village, and concludes at Huliheʻe Palace.
Significant Events and Sites
Did you know that three significant events happened in Historic Kailua Village?
King Kamehameha ruled his Hawaiian Kingdom from Ahuʻena Heiau at Kamakahonu from 1812 to 1819. Kamehameha’s highest advisors gathered at the heiau each night.
- In the early morning hours of May 8, 1819, King Kamehameha died there. 2) A few months after the death of his father, in a time of political consternation and the threat of civil war, Liholiho (Kamehameha II) broke the ancient kapu system, a highly defined regime of taboos that provided the framework of the traditional Hawaiian government. 3) The first Christian missionaries from New England were granted permission to come ashore on April 4,1820.
Huliheʻe Palace
Huliheʻe Palace is flanked to the north by Niumalu Bay and to the south by Kiʻope Fish Pond. Huliheʻe, one of only three royal palaces in America was built by Governor John Adams Kuakini in 1838, one year after he completed Mokuaikaua Church. The Palace was constructed by foreign seamen of native lava rock, coral, koa, and ʻohiʻa timbers. It underwent numerous remodeling projects during the reign of King Kalakaua including exterior stucco and interior plaster. Up until 1914, this historic two-story structure hosted Hawaiian royalty as they vacationed in Kona. Now a museum, Huliheʻe Palace is open for visitors (admission charge).
Created by the KVBID, this first-of-its-kind walking tour is designed to educate community residents and visitors about the unique history of this iconic village.
The free Historic Kailua Village Walking Tour is funded by the KVBID with support from the County of Hawaii Department of Research and Development.
KVBID's mission is to create a model sustainable community that is a better place to invest, work, live, and play. For more information on the Historic Walking Tour follow the Kailua Village Business Improvement District on Facebook, Instagram, or visit www.historickailuavillage.com.
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About Kailua Village Business Improvement District
The Kailua Village Business Improvement District (KVBID) is a collaborative effort between business, government, and area residents to develop and implement creative solutions to improve the cleanliness, attractiveness, community, and economic vibrancy of Historic Kailua Village.
The mission of the KVBID is to make Kailua Village a model sustainable community that is a better place to invest, work, live, and play. KVBID is working cooperatively to improve and maintain the physical appearance and aesthetics of public right of ways, open space, and parks, increase cleanliness and security, and attract long-term sustainable business and community activity in Kailua Village.
Note to editors: If you are interested in high-res images contact Laura Aquino at 808-326-7820 or via email at laura@current-events.com
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