What Is the ʻIolani Palace?
This was the final palace of the kings and queens of Hawaiʻi, and the first executive headquarters of the 50th state’s government!
What Makes It Historical?
In 1845, King Kamehameha III moved his royal headquarters from Lahaina, Maui to Honolulu, Oʻahu and set up his new home base on the site of Kaahaimauli, an ancient heiau, or place of worship! Five kings later, that house had fallen into disrepair and was demolished in 1874 to make room for something much grander!
In native Hawaiian, ʻIolani means “royal hawk,” the middle name of Alexander ʻIolani Kalanikualiholiho, also known as Kamehameha IV! His brother, Kamehameha V, named the original palace ʻIolani, and the name stuck as a new building went up in its place. Commissioned by King David Kalākaua, the cornerstone was laid on December 31, 1879. Three architects—Thomas Baker, Charles Wall, and Isaac Moore—worked together on the design, a style found nowhere else in the world called “American Florentine!” When it was completed in 1882, it was the first royal residence ever to have electrical lighting, the first in Hawaiʻi to host a European-style coronation, and still the only official royal residence on US soil!
For all its firsts, ʻIolani Palace also saw the last, as King Kalākaua’s sister, Liliʻuokalani, in trying to strengthen the power of the monarchy, ticked off the Committee of Public Safety. They led a very publicly unsafe coup against her on January 17, 1893, from which the monarchy never recovered. ʻIolani Palace became the executive headquarters of the provisional government until 1969 when state government moved into the newly completed state capitol building!
How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?
- Pay the entrance fee to help maintain trails, signs, structures, and other visitor services!
- Volunteer at ʻIolani Palace!
- Donate to ʻIolani Palace!
- 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!
How Do I Get There?
364 South King Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
(Take Me There!)
When Should I Visit?
ʻIolani Palace is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM!