While there are countless castles scattered throughout the United States, there is only one royal palace on American soil - and that is Hawaii’s own Iolani Palace, a place of pure magic and beauty nestled in Honolulu’s capitol district. The breathtaking Iolani Palace tells a fascinating story of Hawaii’s history, and has been the home to a royal family, executive building for a new republic, prison to an overthrown queen, capitol building for a territory, martial law headquarters, treasure to Hawaii’s first governor, and now a cultural icon, museum, and National Historical Landmark.
The original palace - known as Hale Ali’i and later Aliʻiōlani Hale - was used mainly meant to receive foreign dignitaries, with many monarchs choosing to sleep in private homes. That is, until King Kalakaua commissioned the current Iolani Palace to be constructed - in the style of other grand palaces owned by the world’s monarchs. After all, the original structure was in poor condition and suffering from ground termite damage.
Outfitted with electricity, telephones, and indoor plumbing, the palace surpassed the White House in terms of technology and innovation. The modern Iolani Palace was constructed for a small fortune at the time - $340,000 - between 1879 and 1882, meaning the modern palace was only used for a decade before the overthrow of the monarchy in 1893.
During World War II, after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii entered into a period of martial law, and the palace became a military headquarters. Later, after Hawaii became an American state, the first Governor, John Burns, moved the state offices to a new location, and started the massive renovation project - which cost approximately $7.5 million.
The palace’s spacious grounds are home the the breathtaking coronation pavilion, where Kalakaua was crowned king in 1883.
When the monarchy was overthrown, the new government moved into the palace and renamed it the Executive Building of the Republic of Hawaii. At this time, Queen Lilii’uokalani was held prisoner in her own home, and half of the palace’s furnishings were sold at auction. (Many of the original furnishings have been restored to the palace from private owners across the world.)
Iolani Palace was opened to the public as a museum in 1978, and is open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with guided tours and self-led audio tours available, as well as special basement tours of the basement galleries, which showcase the crowned jewels, as well as a collection of ancient regalia.
Iolani Palace was designed in a unique style known as American Florentine, and tour patrons can explore the castle’s grand hall facing a massive koa staircase, as well as the throne room, a beautiful blue meeting room, dining room, and even the private bedrooms of royalty - like the room Lili’uokalani was imprisoned in after the overthrow of the monarchy, pending her trial, which took place in the throne room.
Have you visited this magnificent piece of Hawaiian history? For more information about Iolani Palace, including tours and visitor information, check out the palace’s website.
Also consider checking out these 7 royal residences, as well as these 14 enchanting spots in Hawaii.
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