Media release | Fern Gavelek Communications

KAILUA-KONA — Hulihe‘e Palace reopens tomorrow for self-guided tours following cleanup after the March 11th tsunami. Starting Wednesday, the palace resumes its regular museum hours of 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.

The next-door Kuakini Building, which houses the palace’s kitchen and gift shop, suffered interior water damage. The palace’s gift shop, which needs a new floor, will remain closed until further notice.

The annual fundraiser, Day at Hulihe‘e, is still on for 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat., March 26. The palace museum will also be open for the gala event.

“We want to thank the community for helping us during the massive cleanup,” says Fanny Au Hoy, long-time palace administrator. “We lost numerous items stored in the basement and would greatly appreciate monetary donations to help fund replacement costs.”

Donations are greatly appreciated and can be mailed to Hulihe‘e Palace, 75-5718 Ali‘i Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740. For information, phone 329-1877.

Hulihe‘e Palace reopened in September 2009 after receiving a $1.5 million renovation to repair damage suffered in the October 2006 earthquake.

Hulihe‘e Palace admission, which at this time includes a self-guided tour brochure, remains $6 for adults, $4 for seniors and $1 for keiki under 18. Volunteer docents are sometimes available to give guided tours. For details, contact the palace at 329-1877, the palace office at 329-9555 or visit www.daughtersofhawaii.org.

Caretakers of Hulihe‘e Palace are the Daughters of Hawai‘i. The organization was founded in 1903 and opens membership to any woman who is directly descended from a person who lived in Hawai‘i prior to 1880. Helping the Daughters in its efforts since 1986 are the Calabash Cousins; membership is available to all.