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This year a third night a Thursday night VIP Experience has been added. During the tour, guides share stories about her family and her contributions to Hawaii. queen loved music and enjoyed many concerts in the Blue Room with friends and said Zita Cup Choy, the historian. of those concerts featured the Royal Hawaiian Band playing a selection of operatic music. She and the king often invited dignitaries and members of high society to lavish balls in the Throne Room and to formal meals served with crystal goblets, silverware and European china in the Dining When they were on Oahu, Kalakaua and did not sleep at Palace; rather, they preferred to retire to their private residence (another building on the palace grounds, which no longer stands) or to one of their three other homes on the island (in Waikiki, Kakaako and Nuuanu).

All four bedrooms in the palace are on the second floor. Even though the royal couple did not sleep at the palace, two of the bedrooms were designated for their use. got ready for special events in her bedroom. bedroom, adjacent to his office, was where he sought respite from BACKYARD CHERYL CHEE TSUTSUMI TRAVEL SUNDAY HONOLULU STAR-ADVERTISER E3 An evening to honor Queen Julia Napela Kapu was born in Hilo on Dec. 31, 1834, to High Chiefess Kinoiki and High Chief Kuhio.

Her maternal grandfather was Kaumua- the last king of Kauai. married High Chief David Kalakaua in December 1863. Eleven years later, Kalakaua was elected king. By all accounts, was a private, reserved person much different from her gregarious husband. The role of queen came easily to her, and she reigned with dignity, grace and compassion.

She raised money through charitable events such as balls, fairs and garden parties to help disease patients and their families. She also dreamed of founding a hospital where underprivileged Hawaiian mothers could deliver their babies with quality medical care. After working 10 years to obtain the necessary capital of $8,000, she was happy to see Maternity Home (now Medical Center for Women and Children) open on June 14, 1890. After Kalakaua died the following year, the queen moved to their Waikiki home, Pualei- lani. There she lived a simple, quiet life, attended by retainers.

Although she welcomed friends, she seldom went out to attend social gatherings in part because of failing health. Three strokes, disease and a heart condition took their toll: passed away at age 64 on June 24, 1899. She served as the president of Maternity Home until her death. Edited and excerpted from research by Zita Cup Choy Where: Palace, 364 S. King St.

When: 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday Admission: $20 adults, $10 children 5 to 12, free for kids 4 and under. Tickets distributed at the door starting at 4:30 p.m. Last tickets sold at 8:45 p.m. Tours depart every 15 minutes.

A limited number of reserved tickets can be booked online for $30 for both adults and keiki at iolanipalace.org. VIP Experience: Beginning at 5:30 p.m., VIP tours include heavy pupus, cocktails, live entertainment and an intimate tour of the palace. Tickets are $95 for adults and $25 for children 5 through 12. Phone: 522-0832 Email: iolanipalace.org On the Net: iolanipalace.org Notes: Photos of Palace can be taken for personal use. Dress in a manner that is respectful of the cultural and historical significance.

Visitors wear covers provided by the museum over footwear, so flats and sneakers are recommended. Kamaaina Sundays Hawaii residents can visit free of charge on Jan. 14, Feb. 11, March 11, April 8, May 13, June 10, July 8, Aug. 12, Sept.

2, Oct. 7, Nov. 11 and Dec. 9. This portrait of Queen is on display in Gold Room on the second oor.

It was painted by Charles Furneaux circa 1883. He also designed the gown Kapiolani is wearing in the painting. Below, the palace is dramatically lit for the tours. overseeing the affairs of the kingdom. The two other bedrooms were guest rooms for family members.

try to make the evening tours a little different each Cup Choy said. example, last year we unveiled the first four pieces in our Alii Garment Reproduction Project, which we launched in 2015. Hawaii island-based historic garment designer Iris Viacrucis created those pieces after completing extensive Now on permanent display in the palace, the replicas mirror the fine craftsmanship and attention to detail of the originals: Queen Li- ostrich feather and lilac gown and the ribbon gown she chose for her official portrait, which hangs in the Blue Room, and Queen lei hulu (feather lei) gown and peacock feather gown, which she wore to Queen Golden Jubilee in England in 1887. Music will fill the halls, rooms and grounds of the palace all evening, just as it would have at royal soirees in the 19th century. Among the highlights will be songs written by and Na Lani Eha (The Royal Four): King Kalakaua and his three siblings Queen Li- Prince Leleiohoku and Princess Likelike.

about the lives of the alii and sharing their stories inspires Cup Choy said. especially admire what Queen did to help her people (see sidebar). Our annual evening event honors her, celebrates her birthday and remembers her many Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi is a Honolulu- based freelance writer whose travel features for the Star-Advertiser have won several Society of American Travel Writers awards. joyed many concerts in the Blue high society to lavish balls in the Throne Room and to crystal goblets, silverware When they were on Oahu, Kalakaua and did rather, they preferred to re- IF YOU Queen Evening Tours About Queen PHOTOS COURTESY THE FRIENDS OF PALACE Debbie Nakanelua Richards, a member of the Friends of board of directors, modeled a reproduction of Queen lei hulu (feather lei) gown at a past celebration..