King Kamehameha I Celebrations

King Kamehameha Day Parade 2022

On June 11th, administrative members of The Hoapili Baker Foundation, including a few members of the legitimate and legal royal representative branch of the Royal and Ali'i Hoapili Baker Family, were very happy to represent the philanthropic arm of the Royal House of Hawai’i – Ka Hale Ali’i O Hoapili Baker in its first participation in the King Kamehameha Day Parade in Honolulu for the 150th Anniversary celebration of King Kamehameha I. The Hoapili Baker Foundation rented a trolley for the occasion. The participants were honored to represent the Hoapili Baker Family, who also descend from the first king of the Kingdom of Hawai'i, in celebration with all Hawai'i and the many international visitors who came to see the parade in Honolulu to give homage to Pai'ea Kamehameha, the powerful warrior kupuna (ancestor) who forged the Hawaiian Islands into one unified kingdom.

Representatives in attendance waving their aloha from The Hoapili Baker Foundation trolley included H.R.H. the Princess Idony Punahele Hoapili, the appointed Head of the Royal House of Hawai'i representing the Hoapili Baker Family, who serves as the Executive Director of International Relations for The Hoapili Baker Foundation; her mother, H.R.H. Princess Georgette Pua'ala, who serves as the C.E.O. of The Hoapili Baker Foundation; the Chief Steward in Hawai'i, H.E. Keith Aweau, who serves as C.F.O., the Executive Director, H.E. Robert Kakalia; the great-grandson of H.R.H. Prince George Ī'ī Baker, Kalaokekoa Albert; and the expert genealogist of Hawai'i, renowned artist and musician, H.E. Douglas Po'oloa Tolentino, who serenated the crowd with beautiful Hawaiian music.

The expert genealogist of Hawai'i, renowned artist and musician, H.E. Douglas Po'oloa Tolentino, with H.R.H. Princess Idony Punahele, the appointed Head of the Royal House of Hawai'i representing the Royal Hoapili Baker Family, Ka Hale Ali'i O Hoapili Baker.

King Kamehameha I Celebrations 

Lei Draping Ceremony 2022

On Friday June 10th, 2022, H.R.H. Princesses Idony Punahele Hoapili and Georgette Pua'ala, and Chief Steward in Hawai'i, H.E. Keith Aweau (from the ali'i ancestor Ki'ilaweau of the line of Kings Kamehameha IV and V) represented the philanthropic arm of the Royal House of Hawai'i – Ka Hale Ali'i O Hoapili Baker, The Hoapili Baker Foundation, to celebrate the 150th King Kamehameha Day Anniversary with all Hawai'i and the many international visitors to honor Pai'ea Kamehameha, the powerful warrior kupuna (ancestor) who forged the Hawaiian Kingdom.

The administrative members of the royal charity Foundation were honored to represent the Royal and Ali'i Hoapili Baker Family and to have been seated in the VIP tent with Governor Ige and First Lady Dawn Ige, and U.S. Representative Kai Kahele, his wife Malia and their two children.

HFD Fire Captain, musician and actor, Captain Ocean Kaowili, is shown directing the strong, young men of Papakōlea in the handling of the lou (long poles with hooks) to hoist and drape each ceremonial lei onto the arms of the monument of King Kamehameha the Great.

During frequent and glorious light showers of ua (rain), Kumu Moses Kaho'okele Crabbe honored Kamehameha I with an oli (chanting) after each ceremonial lei offering. The attending representatives of the Royal House of Hawai'i – Ka Hale Ali'i O Hoapili Baker offered a customary 30ft. plumeria flower lei during the ceremony.

Halau Mōhala 'Ilima (Mōhala 'Ilima school of hula dance) closing the ceremony with a hula on the monument mound. The fortunate and auspicious element of ua (rain) in the Hawaiian culture was a steady response during the hula.

Step-brothers (and cousins) H.E. John Tamatoa (a.k.a. Timoteo) Baker (who served as Royal Governor of the island of Hawai'i), and Prince Robert Hoapili Baker I (who was born a Prince to Royal Prince Ikekeleaiku, attained the rank of Colonel in the Royal Army, served as Royal Governor of the island of Maui, and was a cousin and royal aide-de-camp to King Kalākaua), modeled for the statues that were commissioned by King Kalākaua, which can be visited on O'ahu island, Hawai'i Island and at the Pentagon in Washington.

Acceptance Message for the Confraria do Galo Induction Ceremony

On October 23rd, the premiere of the short film, “Não Sou Uma Lenda” (I am not a Legend), in which H.R.H. Princess Idony Punahele was invited to participate in July of this year, took place in Barcelos, Portugal at the induction ceremony for new members of the cultural and gastronomical society, Confraria do Galo de Barcelos (the Fellowship of the Rooster of Barcelos). “Não Sou Uma Lenda” was directed by award-winning filmmaker Carlos Araújo. This video, in which Princess Idony Punahele speaks in Portuguese thanking the Confraria for her invitation to be included as a Member of Honor on behalf of her Hoapili Baker Family, followed the video prepared by the President of the Republic of Portugal, Senhor Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who also graciously expressed his will to be present in the next event or ceremony of the Confraria do Galo de Barcelos.

Official Reception from the Municipality of Torre-de-Moncorvo, Portugal

At the invitation of the Municipality of Torre-de-Moncorvo, on August 27, 2021, H.R.H. Princess Idony Punahele, Head of the Royal House of Hawai'i – Ka Hale Ali'i O Hoapili Baker which represents the Royal Hoapili Baker Family, and Senhor Dom Alfredo Côrte-Real, Chief Officer of the Royal House of Hawai'i – Ka Hale Ali'i O Hoapili Baker, visited the City Hall where they were received by the Mayor, Dr. Nuno Jorge Rodrigues Gonçalves, the Vice Mayor, Dr. Victor Manuel Silva Moreira, councilors, and the cultural attaché of Torre-de-Moncorvo, Dra. Helena Pontes. An aimiable exchange of greetings took place in the Salão Nobre (Noble Hall), and with great consideration various site-relevant and artisinal gifts were given, including a copy of a special and rare edition of the Foral (medieval book specifying rights, regulations and duties of the community) of Torre-de-Moncorvo, which the Princess Idony Punahele accepted with much gratitude on behalf of her Hoapili Baker family.

Leaving the Town Hall, the Royal delegation headed to the Castle Museum where an attentively detailed guided tour was carried out by the Hon. Professor, Dr. Nelson Rebanda, a prominent figure in the fields of Archealogy and History who discovered the most important rock carvings of Foz Côa. From the Castle Museum, the delegation moved to the imposing Church of Torre-de-Moncorvo, an imposing and magnificent Catholic monument of impressive architecture and beauty. This was followed by a visit to the Iron Museum, which is housed in a manor that was the residence of the illustrious Fonseca Moniz family, of the highest noble lineage, and from which distinguished individuals descended, including the Baron of Palme, José Maria da Fonseca Moniz, a direct ancestor of Senhor Dom Alfredo Côrte-Real.

After the visit to the iconic Iron Exploration Museum, the City Council offered a very pleasant lunch highlighting the best of the sublime flavors of the gastronomy of Moncorvo. After lunch, the Royal delegation visited a local artisan shop where visitors can learn about the local artisanal production of sugared almonds and see a demonstration of the unique sugaring process. The official visit was concluded by an invitation to the Cooperative where its President, Mr. Meneses, received the Princess Idony Punahele and Dom Alfredo enthusiastically.

Castelo de Trancoso, Portugal

King Kamehameha I Day 2021

Despite the cancellation of the King Kamehameha Day festivities due to the State of Hawai'i's COVID mandate, on June 13, 2021, the mother of the appointed Head of the Royal House of Hawai'i – Ka Hale Ali'i O Hoapili Baker, H.R.H. Princess Idony Punahele, the Princess Georgette Pua'ala (CEO and Chairwoman of The Hoapili Baker Foundation), and Chief Steward in Hawai'i of the Royal House of Hawai'i – Ka Hale Ali'i O Hoapili Baker, H.E. Keith Aweau, privately honor the first king of the first dynasty of the Kingdom of Hawai'i with ho'okupu (tribute offering) on behalf of the Hoapili Baker Family for the base of the monument. H.R.H. Idony Punahele was on official travel in Europe. The Hoapili Baker Family looks forward to reuniting with their royal Tahitian cousins next year in full celebration of Kamehameha Day 2022. Imua Kamehameha e!

In April 2021, H.R.H. Princess Idony Punahele visited the Igreja Nossa Senhora das Neves in Portugal for Easter.

Official Reception from the Municipality of Albergaria, Portugal

By invitation of the Municipality of Albergaria, in November 2020, H.R.H. Princess Idony Punahele, Head of the Royal House of Hawai'i – Ka Hale Ali'i O Hoapili Baker which represents the Royal Hoapili Baker Family, and Senhor Dom Alfredo Côrte-Real, Officer-in-Chief of the Royal House of Hawai'i – Ka Hale Ali'i O Hoapili Baker, visited the City Hall where they were received by the Mayor, Sr. Antonio Loureiro, the Vice Mayor, Dr. Delfim Bismarck, councilors, and the cultural attachée, Dra. Catarina Martins. Following a meeting in the Mayor's office, the Royal delegation headed to the Municipal Archives where an attentively guided tour was carried out by the Archive Curator. A guided visit through the Albergaria libary and stock room followed. Lastly, the delegation enjoyed a delightful tour of the theatre at the town center, the Cineteatro Alba.

Churches in Aveiro, Portugal

In cooperation with the Vice Mayor of the city of Aveiro, Senhor Dr. Miguel Capão Filipe, H.R.H. the Princess Idony Punahele, Head of the Royal House of Hawai'i – Ka Hale Ali'i O Hoapili Baker and Senhor Dom Alfredo Côrte-Real, Officer-in-Chief of the Royal House of Hawai'i – Ka Hale Ali'i O Hoapili Baker, were given official tours of some of the most illustrious patrimonial sites in Aveiro, personally guided by the Director of the Musuem of Aveiro - Museum of Princess Saint Joana, Senhor Dr. José-Antonio Rebocho-Christo.

The first was the Church of the Misericordia located in the same plaza as the City Hall of the Municipality of Aveiro, which was designed and built during a timeline from 1565 - 1653, whose exterior displays Corinthian columns, baroque details and 19th century azulejos (tiles), and whose interior azulejos display a stylistic convergence of neo-classicism and Portuguese mannerism.

Next was the Carmelite Church of Aveiro of Saint John the Evangleist, which was founded by the forth Duke of Aveiro in 1657, and whose ceiling paintings and wall panels of baroque azulejos depict religious scenes amidst the attentively preserved goldleaf detail.

During the official tour of the Musuem of Aveiro - Museum of Princess Saint Joana, which was originally a Dominican convent, the royal delegation enjoyed seeing an incomparable collection of sacred art, as well as the church, cloisters, refectory, and the private chamber of the Princess Joana (1452 - 1490), sister of King Dom João II of Portugal.

Official Reception from H.R.H. Dom Pedro de Mendoça de Bragança e Bourbon, Duke of Loulé

On Thursday, November 12th, 2020, H.R.H. Dom Pedro de Mendoça de Bragança e Bourbon and Dona Inês received H.R.H. ke ali'i Idony Punahele, the Principal Head of the Royal House of Hawai'i – Ka Hale Ali'i O Hoapili Baker and the Officier-in-Chief of the Royal House of Hawai'i – Ka Hale Ali'i O Hoapili Baker, H.E. Dom Alfredo Côrte-Real in Tomar, Portugal to celebrate the inauguration of their commercial Cultural and Historical Agreement through the Insituto Duque de Loulé and the philanthropic arm of the Royal House, The Hoapili Baker Foundation.

The significant collaborative beginning was also marked by a legitimate and authorized reciprocation of the honor of Orders. This Agreement, which constitutes the legitimate and mutual recognition of co-operation, and the authorized reciprocation of Orders, are the recognitions which are in existence between the legitimate, legal and Constitutional branch of the Royal House of Portugal, and the legitimate representative branch of the Royal House of Hawai'i – the Royal House of Hoapili Baker and signed by H.R.H. Dom Pedro himself.

H.R.H. Dom Pedro de Mendoça de Bragança e Bourbon, Duke of Loulé, of the legitimate, legal and Constitutional branch of the Royal House of Portugal, is the first in the correct line of Successsion to the Throne of Portugal.

In Hawai'i in January, 2020, H.R.H. ke ali'i Idony Punahele was officially appointed the Head, or Principal Representative, of the Royal House of Hawai'i – Ka Hale Ali'i O Hoapili Baker by the Senior Heir of the entire Hoapili Baker Family, her grandfather, H.R.H. ke ali'i Prince George I'i Baker, with the support of the other branches of the Hoapili Baker Family of Hawai'i. The legitimate representative branch of the Royal Hoapili Baker Family which is recognized and accepted at the origin and place of the family's royal legitimacy, in the Hawaiian Islands, is the branch of H.R.H. ke ali'i George I'i Baker.

Lugar-Tenente of the Portuguese division of the Order of Sacer, H.E. Senhor Dom Alfredo Côrte-Real, the Officer-in-Chief of the Royal House of Hawai'i – Ka Hale Ali'i O Kamakahelei, was invited for a private and courtesy visit with H.R.H. D. Pedro Borbón, Duke of Calábria, in October 2020. During this informal, pleasant and very symbolic visit to the property of the august Family of Dos Sicilias (Two Sicilies), other individuals of the Order were invited to be present. This visit also included Ke Ali'i Idony Punahele, the appointed Head of the Royal House of Hawai'i – Ka Hale Ali'i O Kamakahelei representing the Hoapili Baker Family, and the Grand Master of the Orden del Sacer in Spain, H.E. Sr. Don Germán Diaz Pérez.

We remember H.R.H. the Infanta Doña Alicia, who was the Protector of the Order of Sacer during her lifetime.

HRH ke ali'i Idony Punahele, the appointed Head of the Royal House of Hawai'i – Ka Hale Ali'i O Hoapili Baker which represents the Royal Hoapili Baker Family, and the Officer-in-Chief of the Royal House, Senhor Dom Alfredo Côrte-Real of Portugal, were received and hosted in October by the family and mother of the current Marquis de Lucemas, Señora Doña Maria del Rosario Sanchez de Ocaña y Sanchez de Ocaña, in the medieval town of Plasencia, Spain, as well as received by several other noble families of the region of Extremadura, Spain.

The Founder of the town of Plasencia, Alfonso VIII, King of Castilla and Toledo, is one of Dom Alfredo Côrte-Real's direct ancestors. King Alfonso VIII was the most powerful sovereign in the region, and was the king who succeeded to overthrow the Moorish occupation of the region known as Califado Almóada. In 1170, in the medieval Spanish city of Burgos, King Alfonso VIII married Eleanor of England, daughter of King Henry II of England and Éléonore d'Aquitaine (Eleanor of Aquitaine).

During September to November 2020, H.R.H. Dom Pedro de Mendoça de Bragança e Bourbon, the Head of the legitimate, legal and Constitutional branch of the Royal House of Portugal, received H.R.H. ke ali'i Idony Punahele, the appointed Head of the Royal House of Hawai'i – Ka Hale Ali'i O Hoapili Baker which represents the Royal Hoapili Baker Family, for a series of official visits in Portugal. 

Pictured here are H.R.H. Dom Pedro de Mendoça de Bragança e Bourbon and H.R.H. ke ali'i Idony Punahele in the beautifully preserved medieval town of Óbidos on September 28th, 2020.

Onipa'a March

More members of the royal and ali'i Hoapili Baker ohana, ke ali'i Kanoe'okealaula Pacheco-Baker (from the Scott Baker ohana) ke ali'i I'i Bondaug, Makamae Bondaug and Mahina Hoapili-Fau (from the Sheri Baker ohana), are shown marching with ke ali'i Idony Punahele and Chief Steward to the Royal House of Hawai'i – Ka Hale Ali'i O Hoapili Baker, H.E. Keith Aweau, to represent Prince Colonel Robert Hoapili Baker in the March of the spirit of Onipa'a on January 17 in honor of Queen Lili'u'okalani, from the Royal Mausoleum in Nu'uanu to the 'Iolani Palace in downtown Honolulu. Also shown with ke ali'i Idony Punahele is Mr. Watters Martin, a friend and scholar of Hawaiian history. Following the ali'i protocol of the customs of the annual Onipa'a March, some of the Hoapili Baker ohana cousins in Honolulu marched together with a photograph portrait of their kupuna ali'i (royal ancestor). 

On the day of King Kalākaua's ceremonial funeral procession from the 'Iolani Palace to Mauna 'Ala, the Royal Mausoleum in Nu'uanu Valley, the king’s cousin by blood, Prince Robert Hoapili Baker I (at the time of the military rank of Colonel in the Royal Army), was honored with the place of leading the procession in front of his cousin's coffin, carrying his crown and scepter on a pillow, indicating his familial status and importance to the Crown. His step-brother (and cousin), H.E. John Tamatoa Baker, walked alongside him carrying the king's royal orders and jewels on a pillow.

It was an honor for Princess Georgette Pua'ala, CEO of The Hoapili Baker Foundation, Princess Idony Punahele Hoapili, Head of the Royal House of Hawai'i – Ka Hale Ali'i O Hoapili Baker (The Royal House of Hoapili Baker), and Chief Steward in Hawai'i, H.E. Keith Aweau of the ali'i lineage of Ki'ilaweau, to represent the Hoapili Baker Family at the 185th birthday celebration of Queen Consort Kapi’olani at the VIP reception for the reopening of the night tours at the ‘Iolani Palace. The occasion highlighted the fact that the 'Iolani Palace was the first Royal residence in the United States to be wired with electricity at the time.

Princess Idony Punahele Hoapili is pictured in the Blue Room and the Throne Room of the ‘Iolani Palace.

“The incredibly memorable experience of the night tour included performances in the throne room, the upper foyer, the dining room, and the King's office and bedroom, among others. Particularly memorable was the music room where The Four Royal Siblings, King Kalākaua, Queen Lili'uokalani, Prince Leleiohoku, and Princess Likelike, known collectively as, Na Lani Eha, played and composed music together regularly. The monarch's compositions echoed throughout the palace by celebrated Hawaiian entertainers; among them some cousins to the Hoapili Baker ohana––Kamaka Pili, KHON2 news caster and producer of TV series "Aloha Authentic", who entertained on the second floor of the palace, and Ku'uipo Kumukahi, a well respected Hawaiian cultural expert and entertainer, who played with accompaniment in the Throne Room. The recreation of the Queen's gowns were provided by Hawai’i designer Kini Zamora, and prominently displayed.” – Princess Georgette Pua'ala

Inside the VIP tent next to the Barracks of the 'Iolani Palace, Princess Idony Punahele Hoapili, Princess Georgette Pua’ala and H.E. Keith Aweau enjoyed the finale of the night tour soirée at the ‘Iolani Palace of the performance of celebrated Hawaiian artist, the incomparable Amy Hanaiali’i, at the VIP reception featuring gourmet food, cocktails and the telling of stories of her ancestors and their connection to the celebrated Queen Kapi'olani on the occasion of her commemorative birthday.

The Hoapili Baker Foundation is a sponsor of the Non-Profit Organization, “Friends of the ‘Iolani Palace”.

A beautiful investiture ceremony of the Order del Sacer of Castilla, in the chapel of the villa residence of the Colonel Eduardo Castañeda.

H.E. Señor Dr. Arturo Santoyo y Medina, High Advisor to the Royal House of Hawai'i – Ka Hale Ali'i O Kamakahelei (The Royal House of Kamakahelei) in Commercial and Academic Affairs, and HRH Princess Idony Punahele Hoapili pictured in the beautiful cloister of the Alcázar Castle Fortress on the summit of the city of Toledo. The delegation enjoyed a tour of Alcázar – El Museo del Ejército (the Army Museum, Alcázar) on the summit of the medieval city of Toledo, generously given by one of the Spanish Colonels. The wonderful museum houses many artifacts of regalia, armor, weaponry, archived accounts and miniature scenic re-enactment models of many battles from different periods in Spanish history. 

The delegation of the Royal House of Kamakahelei eagerly awaited the arranged visit to the beautiful medieval city of Toledo, where they received a warm, hospitable welcome in the General's office in the Castle Fortress of Alcázar on the summit of the city.

The Casa Troncal de los Doce Linajes de Soria is one of the oldest Spanish noble institutions and has continuously maintained its activity until almost the dawn of the twentieth century. Despite having spent almost a century without activity, the Casa Troncal de los Doce Linajes de Soria has never been extinguished, because as a family law institution it follows the same fate of the families that comprise it, and as long as there are families that descend from the Twelve Lineages, there will continue to be a House.

Press article entitled "La visita de la princesa de Hawái a Valencia que le abre las puertas de Europa" in the Spanish online news journal Esdiario.com, following a press conference and ceremony in Valencia, Spain on November 25th, 2019. http://www.esdiario.com/

For translation purposes, the Royal Hoapili Baker Family wishes to provide the following message on behalf of The Hoapili Baker Foundation.

science, medicine and education via the Hawaiian Youths Abroad Program legislated by ke ali'i Robert Hoapili Baker.

H.R.H. Prince George I'i Baker (in Hawaiian, ke ali'i George I'i) and the Royal Hoapili Baker family would like to express our warmest aloha and gratitude to the Officer in Chief of the Royal House, H.E. Senhor Dom Alfredo Côrte-Real of Portugal, to S.A.S. (H.R.H, Infante) Senhor Dom Filipe Loulé, Count of Rio Grande, to the Chancellor H.E. Señor Dr. Pedro-José Bartolomé Fuentes of Spain, and to H.E. Señor Dr. Arturo Santoyo y Medina of Mexico, for having arranged the Iberian tour in November 2019 and facilitating the Royal Hoapili Baker family's welcome into Europe. The Royal Hoapili Baker family would also like to thank Señor Juan-José Terranegra, Don Carlos Verdú y Sancho and all the members of the Order of the Knights of The Capa Española for their assistance and participation in the official ceremonies and organized activities while in Valencia.

The Order de Caballeros de la Capa Española de Valencia gave a warm welcome to H.R.H. the Princess Idony Punahele and the delegation, and the President of the Order de Caballeros de la Capa Española de Valencia welcomed H.R.H. the Princess Idony Punahele into the Order.

Iberian Tour 2019

Spain

HRH ke ali'i Idony Punahele and the delegation visited the beautiful cities of Valencia, Madrid and Toledo, among other places. The Spanish constituent of the Iberian tour itinerary was arranged by H.E. Sr. Dr. Arturo Santoyo y Medina, in tandem with the Chancellor, H.E. Sr. Dr. Pedro-José Bartolomé Fuentes.

A special dinner was held by AMT, Associação Monárquica Tradicionalista (Traditionalist Monarchist Association), with the support of APBV, Associação Páraquedistas Boinas Verdes (Association of Green Beret Paratroopers) in Honor of the Royal House of Hawaii, Royal House of Kamakahelei, and its distinguished visitors. The significance of the chosen date of this event was to commemorate the date of the Restoration of the Independence of Portugal. A few words were spoken by the Hon. President of AMT, H.E. Sr. Dom Alfredo Côrte-Real, highlighting the ties that uniquely unite Portugal and Hawaii, whose connection remains infallible and symbolic over several centuries. Pictured at right is the President of the APBV presenting HRH Princess Idony Punahele with the institution's brevets and medals of merit upon her induction.

Academia Militar and the Palácio da Bemposta. The visiting members of the Royal House of Kamakahelei were delightfully received by the General and Commander of the Academia Militar (Military Academy) in his office. A detailed guided tour through the Academy and Museum was given by the Colonel and H.E. Sr. Dom Alfredo Côrte-Real.

The Church of the Royal Palace of Bemposta is situated adjacent to the Academia Militar, between which is situated a small exhibition space of preserved corridors and restored columns from a pre-existing Christian church. The visiting company was able to see the beautiful paintings commisioned by King Dom João VI hanging above the main altar, and to learn about Queen Catarina de Braganca of Portugal who married King Charles II of England and was actually responsible for introducing tea and ceremonial tea etiquettte to the royal English court. The Royal Palace of Bemposta was built for the Dowager Queen Catarina for her residence upon her return from London to Lisbon. 

At the end of the guided visit the company received gifts of books, tea and marmalade from the Academy Library and were invited to leave their signatures in the Military Academy Book of Honour.

Thursday afternoon private ceremonies took place in the historic Grémio Literário (The Library of the Literary Guild) founded by Queen D. Maria II of Portugal on the 18th of April 1846) in center city Lisbon, where new members were admitted to various Orders. The visiting members of the Royal House of Kamakahelei were received and honored by the Military Order of São Sebastião Dita da Frecha, and as Academic Members of the Instituto D. João VI, while several Portuguese dignitaries from both were inducted into the Orders of the Royal House of Hawaii.

The private ceremonies were followed by a pleasant cocktail party, after which an official dinner was served in the exclusive and restricted Private Room of the Literary Guild, overlooking the beautiful concentric trellis gardens.

On Thursday, H.R.H. Princess Idony Punahele and the delegation lunched at the prestigious former Naval Military Club, an institution founded on the 15th of November, 1866. Along with S.A.S. Dom Filipe, Count of Rio Grande, there were also among the distinguished company the Vice Admiral Henrique Alexandre da Fonseca, the editor and director of the only Revista of the Portuguese Navy. The company enjoyed an excellent and very memorable meal of a traditional delicious Portuguese dish prepared typically in a maritime context called Cataplana de Marisco.

Thursday morning marked the visit to the Palácio Nacional da Ajuda (National Palace of Ajuda), where HRH Princess Idony Punahele and the delegation were accompanied by S.A.S. Dom Filipe, Count of Rio Grande. They enjoyed the opportunity to enter extraordinary spaces of the palace only shown on very special official occasions. A visit to the Biblioteca do Palácio Nacional da Ajuda (Palace Library) followed, exceptionally maintained and exhibited as a unique example of centuries of literary history, with rare books and medieval manuscripts richly illustrated with illuminations.

Thursday began with an official visit to the Museu da Marinha (Naval Museum), housed partly in the stunning Manuelan (an architectural style which was contemporary to the latter period of the Gothic era) Jeronimos Monastery. Upon arrival at the museum, the visiting delegation was greeted by dignitaries and military offcials, including S.A.S. Dom Filipe, and the distinguished professor Ferreira Coelho and his wife, Maria José.

The wonderfully agreeable musuem tour was conducted enthusiastically by an exceptionally knowledgeable Senior Officer of the Portuguese Armada.

During the visit they had the opportunity to see several preserved insignia of Hawaiian Orders which had been attributed to Officers of the Portuguese Armada, once again highlighting the strong, close ties that unite the Portugal and Hawaii. The most dazzling exhibit is perhaps the king and queen’s separate voyaging quarters extracted wholly in tact from one of the royal vessels.

At the end of the visit of the Museu da Marinha, visiting members of the royal Hawaiian family were also able to see a replica of the Dighton Rock, an important record of the discovery of North America by Côrte-Real long before Christopher Columbus. The Dighton Rock is a tribute to the memory of this famous explorer and navigator from the illustrious Côrte-Real family; ke ali'i HRH Princess Idony Punahele had the honor of seeing this monument with one of the members of the current-day Côrte-Real family, H.E. Sr. Dom Alfredo Côrte-Real.

Iberian Tour 2019

Portugal

The Portuguese constituent of the Iberian tour itinerary was meticulously and attentively arranged by H.E. Sr. Dom Alfredo Côrte-Real, who is a direct descendant of the Kings of the First and Second Dynansties of Portugal, and whose family has been avid supporters of the monarchy since its founding––reinforced by his direct ancestor, Dom Egas Moniz, who advised and oriented the first King of Portugal Dom Afonso Henriques––until its unlawfully conspired end. José Luciano de Castro (full name José Luciano de Castro Pereira Côrte-Real), another relative, was the Chief President of the Ministry Council during the last years of the monarchy, a precocious and magnificent scholar, and an indefatiguable philanthropist whose contributions spanned a diverse scope of sectors including hospitals, publishing companies and newspapers. José Luciano de Castro was also the advisor to the last Kings of Portugal, and was present when King David Kalākaua visited the Portuguese Royal Court. H.E. Sr. Dom Alfredo Côrte-Real continues to assist the Legal and Constitutional Branch of the Royal House of Portugal, whose current-day correct royal branch descends from Princesa Ana de Jesus Maria de Bourbon e Bragança, daughter of King Dom João VI. This branch comprises the dynastic line of the Duke of Loulé. H.E. Sr. Dom Alfredo Côrte-Real was invited to cooperate with the Royal House of Kamakahelei by Don Arturo Santoyo y Medina, and coordinated the Portuguese itinerary with S.A.S. (H.R.H.) Dom Filipe Loulé, Count of Rio Grande (Infante de Portugal).

The first day of their arrival in Lisbon the 20th of November, HRH Princess Idony Punahele and the delegation enjoyed the scheduled visit to the Mafra National Palace, the largest palace in Europe. During this visit members of the royal delegation had the opportunity to visit the Palace as well as the Royal quarters. This was followed by a visit to the museum proper and, subsequently, to the monumental Mafra Library, one of the most emblematic and representational in the world. The finale included a visit to the Basilica and Church, the only one in the world with six organs built to play simultaneously. The royal delegation was also warmly invited to appreciate unique clerical pieces which are not exposed to the general public, such as the coronation tunics worn by the kings of France brought by King Dom João V to dress the image of Our Lady in the basilica of Mafra, and the cloak of the Pope when he visits Mafra.

HRH Ke ali'i Idony Punahele was very happy for the opportunity to represent all of the extended Hoapili Baker ohana (family) to celebrate the ohana's bloodline to the Kalākaua dynasty, in honor of the 183rd birthday celebration of King David Kalākaua on November 16th, 2019, organized by Paula Akana, the Executive Director of the 'Iolani Palace.

Natural hulu (feathers) are a traditional symbol of Hawaiian royalty. The Hawaiian royalty and nobility wore feather cloaks and capes for ceremonies and battle. Across Polynesia the colors 'ula'ula (red) and melemele (yellow) were associated with both gods and chiefs. In the Hawaiian Islands, however, yellow feathers were valuable, due to their scarcity. The 'ahu'ula is a carefully woven work of art made of the fine soft plumage of birds under the contour-feathers, especially under the wings, called the ē'ē feathers in Hawaiian.

The royal Hoapili Baker 'ahu'ula cloak is made of yellow, red and black ē'ē feathers of the o'o bird, the Hawaiian word for the Moho nobilis bird, and green parrot feathers.

In honor of the 181st birthday celebration of Her Majesty Queen Lili'uokalani, blood relation to the Hoapili Baker ohana (family) of Hawai'i, HRH Ke Ali'i Georgette Pua'ala and HRH Ke Ali'i Idony Punahele were honored to represent the extended Royal and Ali'i Hoapili Baker ohana at the festivities and performances organized on the 'Iolani Palace grounds. Among the attractions were theatre performances, The Royal Hawaiian Band, and hula performances including hula accompaniment to renowned Hawaiian singer, cousin Ku'uipo Kumukahi.

Ke Ali'i HRH Idony Punahele participated in the Mai Poina re-enactment tour at the 'Iolani Palace during the Onipa'a festivities in 2017; she was honored to play the role of her ancestor Queen Lili'uokalani, under the theatre direction of Sammie Choy of the University of Hawai'i Theatre and Dance Departments.