Hawai‘i State Capitol!

What Is the Hawai‘i State Capitol?

It’s the Hawai‘i State Capitol building!

What Makes It Historical?

After becoming a state in 1959, Hawai‘I started shifting away from its old monarchic system, starting with its capitol! In its early years, the Aloha State ran its executive and legislative branches out of the old ‘Iolani Palace, but the second governor of Hawai‘i, John Burns, pushed for a new, unique building!

Architect, John Carl Warnecke, came up with this design in the Hawaiian international architecture style! Allowing air to flow through, the building’s design reflects the eight islands, from its volcano-shaped legislative chambers to its palm tree columns to the reflecting pool representing the Pacific Ocean! Because it’s open-air, rainbows can sometimes be seen inside when it rains, and it’s even said that the sky itself is this capitol’s dome!

Hawai‘i’s state capitol opened on March 15, 1969 and has maintained its uniquely Native flair inside and out! The 51-member House of Representatives is also known as the Hale o nā Luna Maka‘āinana, while the 25-member Senate is also called Ka ‘Aha Kenekoa! Some noteworthy monuments outside are a copy of the Liberty Bell, an eternal flame for the state’s military, and a statue of Father Damien, the Catholic priest who tended to leprosy patients on Moloka‘i for sixteen years!

How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?

Become a member of the Hawaiian Historical Society!
Donate to the Hawaiian Historical Society!
Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!