A Self-Guided Strolling Tour of the ‘Iolani Palace Space

Within the coronary heart of downtown Honolulu, ʻIolani Palace stands as an imposing reminder of Hawaiʻi’s royal previous — the one official royal palace on U.S. soil. Usually known as the “Grand Dame of Architectural Splendor,” she’s greater than only a constructing — she’s the soul of a Kingdom as soon as misplaced. Surrounding it, quite a few different historic sites dot the Iolani Palace space, portray a vivid image of the monarchy, its legacy, and the pivotal moments that formed trendy Hawaiʻi.

‘Iolani Palace

Location: 364 King St. on the nook of King and Richards St.

A Nationwide Historic Landmark, ʻIolani Palace is the one royal residence in the US. Inbuilt 1882, it was the guts of the Kingdom of Hawai‘i’s political and social life till the monarchy was overthrown in 1893.

King Kalākaua, impressed by a go to with Thomas Edison, outfitted the palace with electrical lights, indoor plumbing, and telephones — earlier than the White Home. However only a few years later, American businessmen deposed the monarchy. In 1895, after a failed try to revive Queen Liliʻuokalani, she was tried in her personal throne room and positioned underneath home arrest upstairs. She lived the remainder of her life in exile, by no means recognizing U.S. annexation.

Restored and reopened in 1978, at this time ʻIolani Palace stands as a museum and image of Hawaiian sovereignty, the place guests can stroll the identical halls as soon as graced by kings and queens.

Visiting the Palace

Discover the grandeur of ʻIolani Palace on a guided tour that takes you thru the primary and second flooring. Excursions can be found Tuesday by Saturday, 9 a.m. to four p.m., with tickets obtainable on the Hale Koa (ʻIolani Barracks) ticket workplace. Stroll the peaceable palace grounds, or deepen your connection by turning into a member of the Associates of ʻIolani Palace — members get pleasure from free admission, reductions, and unique perks.

Discover out how one can get ‘Iolani Palace tickets to tour the inside of Iolani Palace and its grounds.

Keli‘iponi Hale – The Coronation Pavilion

Location: On the ‘Iolani Palace grounds, going through King Avenue within the southeast quadrant

That is the place King Kalākaua, nicknamed the Merrie Monarch, was coronated in 1883.  It was right here that King Kalākaua topped himself — ushering within the Kalākaua Dynasty and marking the tip of the Kamehameha line.

The primary reigning monarch to circumnavigate the globe, he met with leaders in international locations from Japan and Egypt to France and the U.S. His 1874 go to to Washington, D.C., led to President Ulysses S. Grant internet hosting the first-ever State Dinner for a international head of state on the White Home.

At his coronation, Kalākaua positioned the crown on his personal head, honoring the standard Hawaiian perception that nobody touches the top of an aliʻi nui (excessive chief or king). Although he had already been ruling since 1874, this symbolic second solidified his reign.

At the moment, the Coronation Pavilion remains to be in use, internet hosting official ceremonies and performances by the Royal Hawaiian Band — a practice began by King Kamehameha III that continues with 40 members taking part in at parades and state occasions.

Professional Tip: Each Friday from midday to 1 p.m. they host a free public live performance at Keliiponi Hale – the Coronation Pavilion.

Hale Koa (Home of Warriors), also called ‘Iolani Barracks

Location: On the grounds of ‘Iolani Palace, alongside Richards Avenue

Inbuilt 1871 from coral blocks, this fortress-like construction as soon as housed the monarch’s Royal Guard. It featured a large number corridor, kitchen, dispensary, sleeping quarters, and even a lockup. After the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy and the Royal Guard’s disbandment, ‘Iolani Barracks discovered new roles over time —from sheltering refugees throughout the 1899 Chinatown hearth to serving as headquarters for the Nationwide Guard of Hawai‘i.

Initially positioned on what at the moment are the grounds of the Hawaii State Capitol, the barracks have been moved, stone by stone, to the present location in 1965. Hale Koa now homes The Palace Store, a ticket workplace, and a video theatre.

Pohukaina, also called the Sacred Mound

Location: Southeast quadrant of the ‘Iolani Palace grounds

Pohukaina or the Sacred Mound, is a fenced-in grassy mound that marks what was as soon as the Royal Mausoleum. In 1825, staff constructed a mausoleum of white-washed coral blocks to accommodate the stays of Kamehameha II (Liholiho) and his Queen Kamāmalu. Each died of measles whereas on a visit to England.

Through the years, the ancestral stays of different aliʻi (excessive chiefs) – coffins and earlier grave materials – out of their unique burial caves, have been introduced and buried at Pohukaina. It’s mentioned that top chiefs from way back to the 1500s have been delivered to be buried at Pohukaina. In 1865, the stays of 21 ali‘i have been faraway from this location and carried in a torchlight procession at night time to Mauna ‘Ala, the brand new Royal Mausoleum in Nu‘uanu Valley.

Preservation and Restoration

Through the years, the preservation and restoration of ʻIolani Palace have been a monumental effort. Starting within the 1970s, the palace was meticulously restored to its unique splendor, with lots of its unique furnishings and artifacts recovered, repaired, and replicated.  The State of Hawaii and the Palace Preservation Society spearheaded the challenge with vital funding and assets. In 1978, the palace was reopened to the general public, reworking it right into a cherished cultural and historic landmark. At the moment, ʻIolani Palace stands as a testomony to the dedication and dedication to preserving Hawaii’s royal heritage, inviting guests to step again in time and expertise the grandeur of the Hawaiian monarchy.

Ali‘iolani Hale

Location: 417 S. King St. (throughout from ‘Iolani Palace)

You would possibly acknowledge Aliʻiōlani Hale from the unique Hawaii 5-0 — the long-lasting constructing made a number of on-screen appearances. Its real-life historical past is much more dramatic.

That means “Home of the Heavenly King,” the constructing was initially meant as a royal palace for Kamehameha V in 1872. Nonetheless, the king in the end designated it as a authorities heart for the Kingdom of Hawai‘i. The royal residence would later be constructed close by at ʻIolani Palace.

Aliʻiōlani Hale performed a pivotal function in one in all Hawai‘i’s darkest chapters. Within the lead-up to the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy, the Committee of Security, led by Lorrin Thurston and backed by American sugar pursuits, met on the constructing’s second ground to plan the coup. On January 17, 1893, after U.S. troops landed and positioned cannons towards the palace, a proclamation from Aliʻiōlani’s balcony declared Queen Liliʻuokalani deposed. To stop bloodshed, the Queen surrendered peacefully to what she known as “the superior power of the US of America.”

At the moment, Aliʻiōlani Hale homes the Hawaiʻi State Supreme Court docket and the Judiciary Historical past Middle, that includes reveals, a restored courtroom, and a deeper look into the islands’ authorized and political previous.

King Kamehameha Statue

Location: In entrance of Ali‘iolani Hale

The long-lasting Kamehameha I statue could also be probably the most photographed spots in Honolulu — but it surely’s not the unique.

Commissioned by King Kalākaua to mark the 100th anniversary of Captain Cook dinner’s arrival, the statue was sculpted in Italy and solid in France. En path to Hawai‘i, it was misplaced in a shipwreck off South America. A second casting was rapidly made and unveiled throughout Kalākaua’s 1883 coronation, proper the place it stands at this time.

Enjoyable Truth: The unique statue was later salvaged and despatched to Kapaʻau in Kohala on the Huge Island —Kamehameha’s birthplace. Since then, two extra replicas have been made: one for the U.S. Capitol’s Statuary Corridor in Washington, D.C., and one other initially created for Kaua‘i, which was later put in in Hilo, the place Kamehameha as soon as dominated.

Hawaiian Mission Homes

Location: 553 S. King St.

American missionaries arrived in Kona on the Huge Island in 1820, the 12 months after Kamehameha I died. The next 12 months, a brand new group of missionaries traveled to O‘ahu to unfold the gospel additional. Space chiefs welcomed them, and Kamehameha II granted them land to decide on. Hawaiian laborers constructed short-term thatched houses, adopted by extra everlasting Western-style buildings.

The Hawaiian Mission Homes are a number of the oldest surviving buildings on O‘ahu and a Nationwide Historic Landmark. Guests can discover how the early Protestant missionaries lived, and buildings which have survived for over 200 years.

HMH preserves Hawai‘i’s oldest Western-style home, in-built 1821, together with the 1831 Chamberlain Home, the 1841 Bed room Annex, a historic cemetery, a collections vault, a present store, and multipurpose areas. The positioning additionally features a analysis library and archive with over 80,000 digital gadgets, together with one of many world’s largest collections of Hawaiian-language printed supplies. By faculty packages, guided excursions, and award-winning historic theater, HMH brings historical past to life.

Kawaiahao Church

Location: 957 Punchbowl St.

Constructed on sacred land as soon as granted to missionaries by Kamehameha II, Kawaiahaʻo Church stands as one in all Hawai‘i’s most revered historic websites. The land was house to a freshwater spring cherished by Chiefess Ha‘o, giving the church its title — Ka Wai a Ha‘o, or “the water of Ha‘o.”

Nicknamed “The Nice Stone Church,” it was constructed from 14,000 hand-chiseled coral blocks, quarried underwater by Native Hawaiians who dove as much as 20 toes deep. It took 5 years of labor, with the church devoted in 1842 earlier than a crowd of 5,000, together with King Kamehameha III.

Referred to as each the “Westminster Abbey of the Pacific” and “The Church of the Ali‘i,” Kawaiahaʻo is a state and nationwide historic landmark. Simply east of ʻIolani Palace, it stays an energetic place of worship, with Sunday providers at 9 a.m., and is taken into account the premier Hawaiian Congregational Church within the islands.

Uncover the free audio tour of Kawaiaha’o Church and its historical past.

Kawaiaha‘o Fountain

Location: On the left facet of the church constructing as seen from the entrance entrance

Tucked beside the church, a pure freshwater spring nonetheless flows gently from a stone outcrop. This spring, cherished by Chiefess Ha‘o, has lengthy been thought to be a supply of sustenance and serenity. Although easy in look, its quiet presence connects guests to the deep cultural and religious roots of the land.

Tomb of Lunalilo

Location: On the proper facet of the trail main as much as the Kawaiaha‘o Church entrance

King Lunalilo, the sixth monarch of Hawai‘i, dominated for only one 12 months however left a long-lasting legacy because the Folks’s King. Deeply beloved by commoners, he championed democracy and believed management needs to be chosen by the folks — not inherited by his bloodline.

Although his predecessor, Kamehameha V, didn’t title a successor, the legislature appointed Lunalilo. He insisted on a public vote and have become Hawai‘i’s first elected monarch in 1873. Earlier than his premature dying at age 39 in 1874, Lunalilo requested to be buried at Kawaiaha‘o Church, among the many folks he served, relatively than on the Royal Mausoleum with different ali‘i.

Washington Place

Location: 320 S. Beretania St.

A chosen Nationwide Historic Landmark, the previous private residence of Queen Liliʻuokalani and her husband John Dominis, is open to the general public totally free excursions each Thursday at 10 a.m. Spots guide up rapidly — reserve yours here.

Washington Place performed a central function in Hawai‘i’s historical past — from the ultimate days of the monarchy to its path to statehood in 1959. Additionally, it served because the official residence for Hawai‘i’s governors from 1919 to 2002.

At the moment, whereas Washington Place continues to host official occasions and ceremonies, the governor resides in a more recent house positioned simply behind it on the identical grounds.

A digital tour is accessible right here: https://washingtonplace.hawaii.gov/tours-and-gardens/

Hawai‘i State Capitol Constructing

Location: 415 S. Beretania St.

The Hawai‘i state capitol constructing homes the places of work of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, state legislators, and the chambers of the home and senate. Hawai‘i Governor John Burns commissioned the constructing in 1965 and accomplished it in 1969. Its design is “Hawaiian worldwide structure” and displays and symbolizes the pure elements of the islands.

The capitol has an open-air design surrounded by a reflecting pool symbolizing the Pacific Ocean.  The central atrium opens to the sky permitting solar, wind, and rain to enter.

Study extra concerning the significance behind the architectural details of the Hawaii State Capitol Building.

Statue of Lili‘uokalani

Location: Between the State Capitol and ‘Iolani Palace

“The Spirit of Liliʻuokalani” is a six-foot bronze statue honoring Hawai‘i’s final reigning monarch. Created by artist Marianna Pineda, the statue was solid in Boston and devoted on April 10, 1982.

The sculpture portrays Queen Liliʻuokalani as a dignified sovereign, cultural guardian, and composer. In her left hand, she holds three highly effective symbols of her legacy:

• The sheet music for “Aloha ‘Oe,” her most beloved composition

• A web page from the 1893 Hawai‘i Structure

• The Kumulipo, the traditional Hawaiian creation chant she translated throughout her 1895 imprisonment

Her placement isn’t simply symbolic. As scholar Manalo-Camp famous, the Queen isn’t merely “maintaining a tally of the Legislature” — she walks among the many folks, ever current within the civic and cultural coronary heart of Hawai‘i.

Design Your Personal Iolani Palace Tour Map 

Use these addresses to customise your own historic walking tour across the ‘Iolani Palace district.

Completely satisfied Exploring!