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| The U.S. flag is not flown atop the palace. |
Once a month on a Sunday, an excellent guided tour of 'Iolani Palace is free. All of the volunteer guides I've met have been knowledgeable and passionate about sharing the history of Hawaii through the palace, some are exceptionally knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Docent guided tours are only available in the morning. Audio tours are available until 4 pm. Especially if it is your first visit, the docent-led tour is highly recommended for the docent's ability to bring history to life and the opportunity to ask questions. The audio tour is well-done and less structured. You can rewind and go at your own pace. This is a good option for photographers, repeat visitors that want to re-familiarize themselves with the palace on their own, or when the docent-led tours are not available.
'Iolani Palace today is known for being the home base of King Kalākaua's reign, and a place to reflect on the major political developments of his time leading to the annexation of Hawaii by the U.S.: the 1887 Bayonet Constitution that stripped the Hawaiian monarchy of its power, the ascension of his sister Queen Lili'uokalani to the throne after his unexpected death in 1891, the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian monarch by local business leaders, and her subsequent imprisonment in the palace.
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| Queen Lili'uokalani worked on this quilt while imprisoned. |
'Iolani Palace was built by Kalākaua, the cornerstone laid on the birthday of his wife Queen Kapi'olani in 1879. The building replaced the aging Hale Ali'i, which was kind of the equivalent of Washington Place for Kalākaua's predecessors King Kamehameha II, King Kamehameha III, and King Lunalilo, except there were several other supporting buildings around it. King Kamehameha III relocated the seat of government from Lahaina to Honolulu in 1845, took over Hanailoia, the home of King Kamehameha I's granddaughter Princess Victoria Kamāmalu (who was also sister of King Kamehameha IV and V), and renamed it first Hale Ali'i, and later 'Iolani Palace ("royal hawk"). Prior to Hale Ali'i, the land was an ancient heiau known as Ka'ahaimauli. Hawaiian chiefs later built their homes here near a community of Protestant missionaries.
The palace tour centers around the lives of King Kalākaua and Queen Lili'uokalani. You will see how they lived and entertained guests at the only royal palace in the U.S., which had plumbing, telephones, and electricity (the latter before the White House).
Kalākaua and Lili'uokalani both composed many songs, including "Hawaii Pono'i" (Kalākaua) and "Aloha 'Oe" (Lili'uokalani). You can hear renditions of some of their music by famous modern Hawaiian music artists in a video room by the gift shop in the palace basement. The annual Merrie Monarch festival is named for him, as he brought back hula (it was banned in 1830 due to missionary opinion) and is remembered for embracing Hawaiian culture and the arts.
Also on the palace grounds:
Some of the surrounding land was used as a cemetery for Hawaiian royalty between 1825 and 1865 beginning with the burial of Kamehameha II and Queen Kamāmalu here (they are now at the Royal Mausoleum, which was conceived by King Kamehameha IV and built in 1865). This area is now known as "The Sacred Mound", fenced off on the palace grounds.
Also on the palace grounds are the Coronation Pavilion, where Kalākaua and Lili'uokalani's coronation ceremony took place; the 'Iolani Barracks, which had various uses over the years and was relocated from the current site of the State Capitol building; and Kanaina Building (Old Archives Bldg), which was the first archives building in the U.S. There is more information about all of these points of interest on the 'Iolani Palace website.
Nearby:
The State Capitol, Washington Place, main State Library, King Kamehameha I statue, Territorial Office Building, World War II memorial, Ali'iolani Hale, historic YWCA Laniākea (designed by architect Julia Morgan), Hawaii State Art Museum (HISAM), King Kalākaua Building (U.S. Post Office), Lunalilo Mausoleum, and Mission Houses Museum are just a few of the nearby attractions.
Absolutely do not miss the Judiciary History Center housed inside Ali'iolani Hale (the building that forms the backdrop of the Kamehameha statue across the street from 'Iolani Palace), as their displays will take you from the ancient Hawaiian kapu system to the events leading up to the 1893 overthrow. You can see what Honolulu looked like in the mid-1800s and learn about Queen Lili'uokalani's trial, among many other things. Ali'iolani Hale is a historic building that opened in 1874 and was the seat of government before 'Iolani Palace and the current State Capitol. FREE ADMISSION (donations accepted), limited hours.