Monday, April 25, 2011
Music fans: When you visit Oahu, you have to treat yourself to a Royal Hawaiian Band concert — at least one, but it would be all too easy to see several if you get hooked on the first. Plus, they're free!
This is the only municipal band in the United States, a full wind ensemble with percussion, and the only one with a royal background — it was founded by King Kamehameha III in 1836. The hourlong concerts feature Hawaiian classics and jazz standards.
If you're staying in Waikiki, the easiest way to see them is Sundays at the Kapiolani Park bandstand at 2 p.m. They also play the Royal Hawaiian Center the first and third Thursdays of every month — get your shopping, dining and entertainment in one swoop.
Iolani Palace.
But there's something about seeing the band at its regular Friday gig — at Iolani Palace at noon. The history of the place and the history of the music intermingle in the breeze, especially when the band closes with "Aloha Oe," penned by Hawaii's last ruling monarch, Queen Liliuokalani.
As the only royal palace in the United States, replete with pageantry and history, Iolani Palace is on every Top 10 Oahu sights list — so when you make the trip downtown, plan to go on Friday and take in the band at noon. Those people you see munching on sandwiches wearing business aloha attire are us working schlubs on our lunch break.
And a nice lunch break it is.
LINKS
Hawaii Shopping | Oahu Shopping | Hawaii Dining | Royal Hawaiian Center
Hawaii Attractions | Oahu Attractions | Kapiolani Park
Hawaii Attractions | Hawaiian History | Iolani Palace
