The ornamental calabash was given to King Kalakaua for his 50th birthday in 1886 by the Nihoa Society.

"The calabash was made by Joahann Heinrich Wicke who was a German cabinetmaker here in Honolulu," said Iolani Palace Curator Stuart Ching, "and this is one the last pieces he made before he died.

The calabash and its elaborately carved 31-inch stand became part of the furnishings at Iolani Palace until 1891 when the king died in San Francisco. After Rear Admiral George Brown brought the King's body back to Honolulu, the calabash was given to him.

"It was given to him by Queen Kapiolani herself as a memento of the King and also as a token of appreciation for everything he did," Ching said.

Years later, some tenacious volunteers searched for the descendants of the admiral. They found his great grandson who still had the calabash and agreed to return it to the palace. Many other palace furnishings went missing after the overthrow of the kingdom and the search for them still goes on.

"It has taken us to about 38 different states and four foreign countries," Ching said, "and if they know of any leads to artifacts, please give us a call. We do have a Web site with some of our most wanted items that we would like to get back."

A few more of King Kalakaua's personal possessions will be on display for the first time this weekend. That includes a meerchaum pipe features a carving of a man and a bear doing battle. A solid gold cigarette case is encrusted with diamonds, emeralds and rubies.

The king's birthday celebration begins at noon on Sunday. It's free and open to the public. In honor of the occasion the palace is decorated much the way it was for the King's 50th Birthday Jubilee in 1886.

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