ʻIolani Palace

ʻIolani Palace is a building in downtown Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, United States. It was a palace for the kings and queens of Hawaiʻi. It is the only palace in the United States that was used as an official residence by a reigning monarch. Two monarchs governed from ʻIolani Palace. They were King Kalākaua and Queen Liliʻuokalani. After Hawaiʻi stopped having kings and queens in 1893, the building was used as the state's capitol building until 1969.

In 1962, ʻIolani Palace became a National Historic Landmark. The palace was restored and opened to the public as a museum in 1978.

History

Royal palace

ʻIolani Palace was built when the king of Hawaiʻi was David Kalākaua. Kalākaua had seen royal palaces in Europe. He had ʻIolani Palace designed to be like those. It was built of brick and concrete. The building was completed in November 1882. It cost over $340,000. It measures about 140 by 100 feet (43 m × 30 m). It is two stories high. It has a basement. It has four corner towers. It has two towers in the center that are 76 feet (23 m) high.

ʻIolani Palace is the only building of its architectural style. The style is called "American Florentine". The palace had electricity and telephones even before the White House had them.

Executive Building

After Hawaiʻi stopped having kings and queens in 1893, the new government of Hawaiʻi took over ʻIolani Palace. The palace was renamed the "Executive Building" for the Republic of Hawaiʻi. Officials made a record of what was in the building. The things that could not be used by the new government were sold at public auctions.

Queen Liliʻuokalani was imprisoned for nine months in a small room on the upper floor after a rebellion in 1895. The quilt she made is still there.

Palace Restoration

In 1930, the inside of ʻIolani Palace was remodeled. The wood framing was replaced by steel and reinforced concrete. In 1935, the name was changed back to ʻIolani Palace.

ʻIolani Palace was made an official National Historic Landmark on December 29, 1962. On October 15, 1966, it was added as site 66000293 to the National Register of Historic Places listings in Oahu. Government offices left the Palace in 1969 and moved to the new Hawaii State Capitol building.

Many things that used to be in the palace have been returned. Money from the government and private donations paid to help make rooms in the palace look like they did during the monarchy era. ʻIolani Palace opened to the public in 1978. In the basement is a photographic display of the Palace, the Hawaiian crown jewels, awards given by the monarchs, and regalia worn by the high chiefs of the islands.

The grounds of ʻIolani Palace are managed by the Hawaiʻi State Department of Land and Natural Resources. The palace building itself is managed as a historical house museum by the Friends of ʻIolani Palace, a non-profit non-governmental organization. The birthdays of King Kalākaua (November 16) and Queen Kapiʻolani (December 28) are celebrated with ceremonies.

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Tips & Hints
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Hareesh Nuthi
16 March 2014
Sunday it's closed, recommended to have a audio tour before 12PM and allow atleast one hour explore ground and first floor.. You also have basement showing collections of jewelry and swords (15min)
Nate Richards
29 May 2013
This was my first-ever audio tour (I always thought people looked silly with them). But it was great. Listening to the narration and sounds of the period really enhanced the visit!
The Wall Street Journal
Serves as a cultural repository for some of the most beautiful and striking objects in Hawaiian history (including a donated 13.88-carat diamond ring that once twinkled from King Kalakaua's pinky).
Lynette Eugenio
31 October 2018
If you want to learn more about Hawaii's rich history, this is the place to go. I recommend the guided tour as they're very knowledgeable and in-depth. Take time to also walk the beautiful grounds.
Nate S
20 May 2022
Take the self-guided audio tour. Depending on how interested in history you budget 30-90 mins inside. Chock full of Hawaiian history (1778-1893) then leading to US territory/statehood!
Carl Figueiredo
24 April 2015
Fantastic view into the sovereign kingdom of Hawai'i. A must see for anyone looking for more perspective and context to modern Hawai'i
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8.8/10
佐天 涙子, Julietta Papillon and 99,915 more people have been here
Map
0.1km from Mililani St, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA Get directions
Sun 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Mon-Wed 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Thu 8:00 AM–6:00 PM
Fri 9:00 AM–7:00 PM

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