Featured Activity: Hulihe`e Palace
Maybe you’ve heard about it; maybe you’ve walked by it as you’ve strolled Ali`i Drive. If you are interested in Hawai`i’s history and you haven’t toured Hulihe`e Palace, perhaps you should. Hulihe‘e is a museum showcasing artifacts from the era of King Kalākaua and Queen Kapi‘olani, featuring beautiful koa wood furniture, portraits, kapa, feather work, Hawaiian quilts and artifacts from Hawai‘i’s royal past. In 1973, Hulihe‘e was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Lovingly restored and maintained by the Daughters of Hawai`i, the Palace was originally built out of lava rock during the Kingdom of Hawai‘i on land known as Kalāke‘e, a former residence of Kamehameha the Great. The Palace itself was first home to High Chief John Adams Kuakini, brother of Ka‘ahumanu the favorite wife of Kamehameha, and later home to more members of Hawaiian royalty than any other residence in Hawai‘i. Hulihe‘e Palace consists of six large graciously appointed rooms, two large inviting oceanfront lānai and lovely grounds.
The Palace, located at 75-5718 Ali‘i Drive and across the street from Mokuaikaua Church, another historic site, is open Wed – Fri: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Sat.: 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. There are both docent-guided and self-guided tours. Reservations are encouraged. For more information visit https://daughtersofhawaii.org/hulihee-palace/ or call (808) 329-1877.
Featured Restaurant: Walua Social Club
The Walua Social Club is Kailua Kona’s newest neighborhood trattoria. Located off Ali`i Drive above the Royal Kona Resort at 75-5864 Walua Rd. the restaurant represents a collaboration between Chefs Chad Yamamoto & Alessandro Taras. The chefs have created a menu that combines local fresh ingredients and flavors with both modern and classic Italian recipes.
Local ingredients are prepared in an authentic Italian style, building a bridge between the Big Island and Sardinia, Italy. Raw and cooked appetizers, fresh salads, house-made pasta dishes and hearty entrees are varied enough to satisfy every appetite. Follow dinner with a scrumptious Tiramisu or lemon ricotta malasada and an espresso. This restaurant does not disappoint. Reservations can be made through Open Table or by calling (808) 498-0777. The Walua Social Club is open Monday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
