Several activities are planned Friday and Saturday, March 15-16, to celebrate the birthday of Kamehameha III (Kauikeaouli) at and near the place of his birth in 1813 at Keauhou Bay.
Several activities are planned Friday and Saturday, March 15-16, to celebrate the birthday of Kamehameha III (Kauikeaouli) at and near the place of his birth in 1813 at Keauhou Bay.
King Kamehameha III was the son of Kamehameha the Great. During his 30-year reign, he signed the Great Mahele, dividing land among his people; declared the right of religious freedom and instituted the kingdom’s first written constitution.
In 1843, King Kamehameha III coined Hawaii’s motto that appears on the state seal and coat of arms: “Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono: The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.”
At 10 a.m. on Friday, March 15, join the Daughters of Hawaii, the Royal Order of Kamehameha and Kamehameha Investment Corp. for a special tribute to Kauikeaouli at his birthsite at Keauhou Bay.
From 5:30-8 p.m. at the Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay, David Keanu Sai will give a lecture titled “1893 Executive Agreements and Impacts Today: Hawaiian Protest & Demand/Filed in the United Nations.”
On Saturday, March 16, the resort will host a free concert on the lawn: the 13th annual Kamehameha III Lanikauikeaouli Birthday Concert.
The entertainment gets under way at 4:30 p.m. with Darlene Ahuna and special guests Kaulumahiehie Amaral and Halau Kala‘akeakauikawekiu. Waipuna takes the stage at 5:30 p.m.
The nighttime lineup under the stars beginning at 6:30 p.m. will include Nina Kealiiwahamana, Marlene Sai, Sonny Lim, Hiram Olsen, Lorna Lim, Danny Couch, Natalie Deisroth, Mike Kaawa, Piilani Schneider-Furuya, Casey Olsen, Pomai Brown, Iaukea Bright, Mahela Ichinose, Brickwood Galuteria, Nani Lim and the ladies of Na Leio Kaholoku, and many other stars.
At 8 p.m., Kahulanui will play Hawaiian swing, and at 9 p.m., Mana‘o Company takes the stage. A free concert trolley will operate from 4-10:30 p.m. to transport concert-goers from the Keauhou Shopping Centeer to the resort. To catch the trolley, please park on the makai side of Phase 2 of the shopping center and board the trolley at Longs.
Beach chairs and mats are welcome; no coolers, please. The concert is sponsored by Kamehameha Investment Corp. and the resort.