`Iolani Palace Royal History Course
Ever wonder why the doorknobs at Iolani Palace are so low?
Or why some of the upstairs windows are covered with paper?
Answers to these questions and many more will be covered in the `Iolani Palace Royal History Course. This course is an introduction to the history of `Iolani Palace and the monarchy period. A $40 fee includes instruction, a manual and The Friends of `Iolani Palace membership. Notice about future Royal History Courses will be posted here. For more information, please contact docent educator Zita Cup Choy at 522-0841 or e-mail educator@iolanipalace.org.
`Iolani Palace Docent Training Course
The Friends of `Iolani Palace is pleased to offer an 8-week Docent Training Course. To enroll you must have completed the Royal History Course and 40 hours of Guardian service at the Palace. This course will add to your knowledge of Palace and monarchy era history, develop your public speaking skills, and enable you to present a tour to share `Iolani Palace with friends, family, and visitors from around the world. A $30 fee includes instruction, a training manual, lectures, and other materials. Notice about future Docent Training Classes will be posted here. For more information, please contact docent educator Zita Cup Choy at 522-0841 or e-mail educator@iolanipalace.org.
Digging For Your Roots
Genealogy Research Workshops
These two-day workshops offered by Fran McFarland are very popular -- many students rave about the hands-on approach to learning. The course includes a discussion on the cultural differences between Hawaiian and Western genealogical standard practices. You will visit the Hawai`i State Archives and Hawai`i State Library on the first day and the First Circuit Court Records and Bureau of Conveyance on the second day.
Instructor Fran McFarland specializes in teaching genealogical research in Hawai`i, not just for native Hawaiians, but for immigrant groups and foreigners who arrived here in the late 19th & early 20th centuries, and made Hawai`i their home. She was born and raised in Honolulu. She has helped thousands of people research their roots to find missing branches of the family tree or establish blood quantum for Hawaiian entitlement programs. She is a member of the Utah Genealogical Association.
The two-day workshop will be offered the following days:
- Thursday, April 3rd and 10th
- Thursday, April 17th and 24th
- Thursday, May 1st and 8th
- Thursday, May 15th and 22nd
- Thursday, June 12th and 19th
- Thursday, July 10th and 17th
- Thursday, July 24th and 31st
- Thursday, August 7th and 14th
- Thursday, August 21st and 28th
- Thursday, September 4th and 11th
- Thursday, September 18th and 25th
- Thursday, October 2nd and 9th
- Thursday, October 16th and 23rd
Classes are held in the Kana`ina Building on the Palace Grounds. The cost is $75.00 for the two-day workshop and includes instruction, syllabus and workbook. Students must sign up for both days. Please call Fran McFarland at 808-203-7245 or email at fjmvana@juno.com. You may also call 522-0822 for further information.
Special Genealogy Events: June 1 – June 6, 2008 – Family History Library Trip, Hawai`i Genealogy Help Group to Salt Lake City, Utah. This trip includes hands-on research at the world's largest genealogical collection. Lodging accommodations will be at the Plaza Hotel, located next door to the library. Please call Fran McFarland at 808-203-7245 or email at fjmvana@juno.com.
Hawaiian Quilting Classes
Ongoing Hawaiian quilting sessions are offered on Saturday mornings, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Poakalani and John Serrao and their daughters Cissy and Rae teach Hawaiian quilting in the lecture room of the Kana`ina Building (Old Archives) on the `Iolani Palace Grounds.
Since 1972, this family has perpetuated the cultural history and tradition of Hawai`i through Hawaiian quilting . They have taught thousands of a new generation of quilters statewide, nationally, and internationally. They have given classes in American Samoa through the Consortium Pacific Arts Council and National Endowment of the Arts, Kamehameha Schools Adult Education Program, Queen Emma Summer Palace, and the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center.
Their work has been exhibited at the Mission Houses Museum and Queen Emma Summer Palace. They have appeared on "Home Matters" and "Secret in the Quilts" on the Home and Gardens Network. They have authored several publications including The Hawaiian Quilt, A Spiritual Experience, several Hawaiian quilt design books and articles in the quilting magazine, "The Traditional Quilter."
- Classes are held in the Kana`ina Building (Old Archives) on the `Iolani Palace Grounds.
- You can join any Saturday and start at any level. Assistance is provided for new and experienced quilters.
- Fees are $6 per session.
- Beginning quilter's first class is $35, which includes a Hawaiian Pillow kit.
For more information, see Hawaiian Quilting with Poakalani & Co., or call Cissy Serrao at (808) 521-1568.
Brown Bagging to Conversational Hawaiian
Language Awareness & Conversation Skills for the Busy Person
NOTE: No Conversational Hawaiian classes are scheduled for 2008 thus far.
Please check back at a later date. Updates will be posted here.
In the 1970s, Palace docents-in-training were required, as now, to practice perfect pronunciations of Hawaiian words. A weekly class was established for all volunteers and staff who wanted to become more familiar with the language. The Friends of `Iolani Palace continue to offer this popular course. Everyone is welcome here to learn Hawaiian in a positive, noncompetitive atmosphere (no homework or tests). No textbook is required; just pencil and paper. Students can expect to gain a heightened awareness of the Hawaiian language and will be instructed in pronunciation as well as basic conversation skills. The course is great for those who might not have the time demanded by other language programs.
Classes meet in the Kana`ina Building (Old Archives), on the Waikiki side of the `Iolani Palace Grounds. Classes meet at 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon, Mondays and Wednesdays.
Instructor: Alison Ledward grew up on Pauoa, next door to her native-speaking grandparents. Alison began her study of the Hawaiian language as a student at Kamehemeha Schools under teachers Kilolani MItchell, Sarah Keahi, Nona Beamer and Ho`oulu Cambra. Alison's teaching style is interactive; perfect for students who want to ask questions, share their own stories and who have an aversion to homework.
For all classes:
- Metered parking is available on the Palace Grounds and nearby streets.
- For more information or to register, call (808) 522-0822.
- No video or tape recording allowed.
- Fees:
- Course fee is five dollars ($5.00) per class. Est. cost $20-$25 per month.
- Monthly course fee is payable in full by the first class day of each month.
- Fees once received are NON-REFUNDABLE. Missed classes are NON-REFUNDABLE.
- Holidays are observed and no class fee will be charged for that day.
- Checks are to be made out to: The Friends of `Iolani Palace
- Late registrants will pay for the remaining classes of the month $5.00 per class plus a $1.00 late registration fee.
Schedules (subject to change w/minimum notice):
Please contact us at 522-0822 to find out about upcoming classes.
