“When The Royal Grove opened six years ago, it allowed kama‘āina (locals) and malihini (visitors) to come together,” said Rosalind Schurgin, CEO of the Festival Companies, which manages Royal Hawaiian Center for Kamehameha Schools, addresssing the crowd of about 300 people. “We’re committed to the holistic experience; (the Center) balances retail with Hawaiian culture and hospitality.” The latest upgrade, which took five months, further supports the goal of being more than just a place to shop, dine and have fun. In addition to free lei making, quilting, hula, ‘ukulele playing classes, images and story boards will educate guests about the history. Adjacent to the statue of Pauahi, the new 942-square-foot Helumoa Hale Guest Services & Heritage Room invites guests to see documentaries, tour exhibits and attend 58 i R oyal
talks about the center and its connection to old Hawai‘i. The Grove now also boasts more green space that showcases native Hawaiian flora and fauna. And a larger 30,000-square-foot venue better accommodates Hawaiian entertainment and educational opportunities. The history of Helumoa is one of legends. It is said that a supernatural rooster, Ka‘auhelemoa, had flown to Waikīkī from Pālolo Valley to challenge 16th-century O‘ahu chief Kakuhihewa. But after scratching the earth, the rooster had mysteriously vanished. Kakuhihewa saw this as an omen and directed his men to plant coconut trees in the same area and named it Helumoa, meaning “chicken scratch.” Years after his conquest of O‘ahu in 1795, King Kamehameha I established a home there. In the 1880s, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop inherited Helumoa from her royal relatives.
(left) ©dana edmunds
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