A Merrie (And Well Traveled) Monarch
Kalakaua Festival honors a globetrotting king

Desireé Cruz

On Saturday, April 14, following the Merrie Monarch Festival Parade, the Kona Brass will present a unique tribute to King Kalakaua at the park named after him in Hilo.
Descended from the great chiefs of Kona, Kalakaua was born David La'amea Kamanakapu'u Mahinulani Nalaiaehuokalani Lumialani Kalakaua on November 12, 1836 and ruled from 1874 until his death at the age of 45 on January 20, 1891. He was a patron of the traditional ancient practices who also enjoyed contemporary arts and pastimes. He was fond of music, dancing, card games, horse and yacht racing. In the 1820s, arriving missionaries banned hula as immoral, but under Kalakaua's reign it was revived and once more performed in public.
Kalakaua was also the most well-traveled world leader of his time; the first ruler of any nation to circumnavigate the globe. In 1875, the king signed the Reciprocity Treaty, which allowed certain Hawaiian goods, like sugar and rice, to enter tax-free into the United States. In support of this, he traveled to Washington, DC to meet with President Ulysses S. Grant. Soon after, he embarked upon an international tour.
In 1881, the king sailed from Hawai'i on a trip that would take him and Queen Kapi'olani around the world to study immigration and to improve foreign relations. He also wanted to see how other rulers governed. This trip opened the flood gates to subsequent immigration and forever changed the demographics of the Hawaiian Islands. During his journey, he was the honored guest at numerous balls, banquets and opera events.
His Majesty's first stop was San Francisco; from there, he sailed to Japan, where he visited with the Meiji Emperor. His journey continued through Qing Dynasty China, Siam (Thailand), Burma (Myanmar), India of the British Raj, Egypt, Italy, Belgium, the German Empire, Austria-Hungary, the French Third Republic, Spain, Portugal, the United Kingdom and back through the United States before returning to Hawai'i. This trip allowed him to meet with many other crowned heads of state, including Umberto I of Italy, Pope Leo XIII, and England's Queen Victoria.
By 1890, the king's health was suffering. Under the advice of his physician, he traveled to San Francisco, where his physical condition continued to worsen. Kalakaua died on January 20, 1891 at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco.
Under the direction of Sue Garrod, the Kona Brass will revisit those sites with a musical journey that traces the adventures of our globe-trotting monarch. To honor Kalakaua's worldwide tour and to join in the Merrie Monarch celebration, the group is presenting a concert featuring the music that the King was likely to have enjoyed during his reign and his round-the-world tour. Scheduled to follow the close of the Merrie Monarch parade, the concert starts at 2 p.m.
The concert begins and ends with two important Hawaiian works, Kalakaua's "Hawai'i Pono'i "and Lili'uokalani's "Aloha 'Oe."
The classic "Sakura" showcases Japan while "Canzona per Sonare no. 2" recalls a Papal audience in Rome. The "William Tell Overture" was a favorite of Royal Hawaiian Band leader Henri Berger. It was (and continues to be) frequently performed by the Royal Hawaiian Band today. "Toreador Song" from Carmen is reminiscent of Spain/Portugal and originated in the French Opera. "Royal Fireworks" comes from Great Britain. "Suite for Brass-Reel" represents his jaunt across the U.S.. Renaissance dances were selected for their symbolic association with Kalakaua.
Included are several German/Austrian works in the program, as they bring to life some of the best dances of the era. Kalakaua had a particular interest in many aspects of German culture. Berger, his bandmaster, even studied under Johann Strauss.
Although best known for his love of hula, Kalakaua loved many types of European dance and was considered Hawai'i's best dancer.
The styles represented at the concert include Ronde, Salterelle, Pavane (European - 1500s); Polka Schnell (German - 1800s); Lander (German - 1700s, the early form of the waltz); Waltz (German-Austrian - 1800s); Paso Doble, the Toreador Song; Reel (American folk - 1800s); and Hawaiian/Hula (Aloha 'Oe). Presented in an informal talk-story style, each song is introduced with historical information and biographical glimpses into the composer's thoughts.
A 15-year veteran of the trombone, Garrod is joined by three other Kona-side musicians - trumpeter David Clausnitzer, Orrin Wilson on French horn, Garry Russell on tuba - and by Hilo's own Armando Mendoza on trumpet.
Garrod sums it up: "I wish that King Kalakaua were here for the tribute as well!"
For more on the Kona Brass, check their Web site konabrass.com
Little Shop of Horrors
Friday the 13th of April is a perfect night to open Hilo's newest theater company, Mauna Productions. Anna Ward directs "Little Shop of Horrors," starring Yisa Var as Audrey, Trent Striker as Seymour, and Pedro Ka'awaloa as the voice of the man-eating plant, Audrey II, the group debuts with a cult classic sure to be a hit on any night. Join the cast on Skid Row as Audrey II blooms and proceeds to take over the world!
"Little Shop of Horrors" runs weekends only, April 13-29,- at the former Western Auto building at 141 Haili Street. Friday and Saturday shows start at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday matinees begin at 2:30 p.m.
TIX: Adults $15/students$12.
INFO: maunaproductions.org

Aloha a hui hou as the beat goes on…
Reach Desiree at islandbeat@hawaiiislandjournal.com.
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