Become a Virtual Tourist Member Today!  Sign Up for Free | Sign In
Iolani Palace, Honolulu
Search:

Honolulu Hotels

Real reviews from real travelers.

Iolani Palace, Honolulu

Iolani Palace tips and photos posted by real travelers and Honolulu locals.
• 48 Photos
• 34 Reviews

See all Honolulu Things To Do
Sort By:  Most Recent | Best Rated
Iolani Palace: The only Royal Palace in USA!
  • Tip Rating:
  • machomikemd
  • Updated By machomikemd on October 27, 2009
  • Honolulu Page by machomikemd
  • me again in 2009 - Honolulu
    me again in 2009
    by machomikemd, 4 more photos
    ʻIolani Palace is situated in the capitol district of downtown Honolulu here in Hawaiʻi. It is the only royal palace used as an official residence by a reigning monarch in the United States and is a National Historic Landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Two monarchs governed from ʻIolani Palace: King David Kalākaua and Queen Liliʻuokalani.

    The ʻIolani Palace structure that exists today is actually the second ʻIolani Palace to sit on the palace grounds. The original palace, built during the reign of Kamehameha IV, was a one-story building made out of coral block. The building was named, "ʻIolani Palace," after one of Kamehameha IV's given names (his full name was Alexander Liholiho ʻIolani). It served as the official residence of the monarch during the reigns of Kamehameha IV, Kamehameha V, Lunalilo, and the first part of Kalākaua's reign. The original structure was very simple in design and was more of a stately home than a palace.

    Iolani Palace is located in the Capitol District of downtown Honolulu at the corner of King and Richards Streets at 364 South King Street. There is limited metered parking on the grounds and on nearby streets. Parking is also available at numerous lots downtown and at the Aloha Tower Marketplace. The best was to reach downtown from Waikiki is on The Bus, Oahu's public transportation system.

    Tours are offered every 30 minutes Tuesday - Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Tickets are obtained at the nearly 'Iolani Barracks.

    Admission for an adult is $20. Hawaiian residents (kama'aina) and military with ID pay $15. Children Ages 5-17 are $5. No children under 5 are admitted.

  • Address: corner of King and Richards Streets
  • Phone: (808) 522-0832 or 522-0823
  • Directions: corner of King and Richards Streets at 364 South King Street.
  • Website: www.iolanipalace.org
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

    Visiting Honolulu?

    Read reviews about Honolulu Hotels

    Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.

    Iolani Palace: Iolani Palace
  • Tip Rating:
  • Suet
  • By Suet on February 26, 2004
  • Honolulu Page by Suet
  • Iolani Palace - Honolulu
    by Suet
    Being curious, I love to see how others live so this was a must for me. As well as a tour of the palace, the video gave a brief history of the islands and the Kamehameha dynasty, the stories, the lifestyle.... extremely interesting.

    I was terribly sad to see that outside "western" influences saw fit to invade and impose their changes on a happy people who had been doing quite well for a long time without interference, thank you very much.....

    Palace itself was very European in design, grand staircases, French fittings, Italian Marble, flushing loos.... but whatever you do, don't go through the wrong gate, they executed people for doing that.....

    Leave a Comment

  • Address: Junction of Richard Street/King Street Honolulu
  • Phone: (808) 522 0822
  • Directions: Middle of Honolulu...
  • Website: kanaina@iolanipalace.org
  • Other Contact: ticket office (808) 522 0832
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Iolani Palace: Polynesian Culture Centre
  • Tip Rating:
  • Suet
  • Updated By Suet on February 26, 2004
  • Honolulu Page by Suet
  • tongan dancers - Honolulu
    tongan dancers
    by Suet
    Now THIS was the place to be..... an all day event and you still don't get to see everything.... it is set out in little villages with all of the cultures and traditions (with dancing) at set times. Just refer to the brochure for the things you want to see. A must is the Tahitian Dancing, those girls can REALLY move the hips..... trying it out generally means you end up in traction for a while..... leave it to the experts.

    The canoe pageant was worth seeing, all of the cultures in local dress (you have to imagine it as it was as the costumes are a bit stylised for tourist consumption) and the rather loud announcer tells you all about each canoe and the occupants.... they also have a band and the drummers which is quite exciting.

    Yeah, we took hula lessons..... failed miserably, but lost a few pounds in sheer effort.

    Make sure you see the evening show which features over 100 performers.... the setting is wonderful and the fire dances are well worth watching. You can't take pictures of the fire shows as they don't come out very well.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Iolani Palace: Iolani Palace
  • Tip Rating:
  • TropicGirl77
  • By TropicGirl77 on February 22, 2004
  • Honolulu Page by TropicGirl77
  • Gazebo in front of Iolani Palace - Honolulu
    Gazebo in front of Iolani
    Palace
    by TropicGirl77
    There is much history in Hawaii. This particular tour is of the actual palace, which was restored shortly after Hawaii becme the 50th state. It was taken over by the government, then after they moved into a bigger building, a committee gathered together to restore the old palace, locate as many original items as possible, and bring it to its present condition. The palace has been beautifully restored! No picture taking allowed inside the palace, but you can purchase postcards in the gift shop.

    Leave a Comment

  • Address: King Street
  • Directions: $15 - $20 to take the guided tour which includes the room upstairs. On King Street, across from the Statue of King Kamehameha
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Iolani Palace: INSIDE IOLANI PALACE
  • Tip Rating:
  • Onedragon
  • Updated By Onedragon on October 6, 2008
  • Honolulu Page by Onedragon
  • KING KALAKAUA'S LIBRARY AND CONFERENCE ROOM - Honolulu
    KING KALAKAUA'S LIBRARY AND
    CONFERENCE ROOM
    by Onedragon, 4 more photos
    I HAD A SPLENDID MORNING OF BEING ABLE TO GO ON A TOUR OF THE INSIDE OF IOLANI PALACE THAT SITS OFF OF KING STREET..WHAT A FABULOUS TIME OF HEARING THE EVENTS AND HAPPENINGS AND THE PEOPLE OF HAWAIIAN MONARCHY AS THEY LIVED IN THE PALACE...I FELT AN HONOUR AND AN APPRECIATION OF THAT BUILDING AND THE PEOPLE THAT FOUNDED AND BUILT HAWAII..BEING ABLE TO SEE ALL THAT VALUABLE AND BEAUTIFUL KOA WOOD THAT DECORATED THE INSIDE STAIRCASE AND TABLES AND BOWLS...WAS AWESOME....SEEING ALL THE SPLENDID ROOMS THAT WERE IN THE PALACE..WAS FASCINATING!!!!!! A Hawaiian national treasure and the only official state residence of royalty in the United States, `Iolani Palace was the official residence of the Hawaiian Kingdom's last two monarchs -- King Kalakaua, who built the Palace in 1882, and his sister and successor, Queen Lili`uokalani. During the monarchy period, the Palace was the center of social and political activity in the Kingdom of Hawai`i.

    Though its grandeur was neglected after the overthrow of the monarchy, restoration began in the 1970s through efforts of concerned individuals. Restoration and preservation continues, and, as a result, today's visitors to this National Historic Landmark in downtown Honolulu enjoy one of the most precise historic restorations and learn much about Hawaiian history and heritage.

    Leave a Comment

  • Address: CORNER OF KING AND RICHARDS STREETS
  • Phone: (808) 522-0832 or 522-0823
  • Directions: ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE DOWNTOWN POSTOFFICE
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

    Visiting Honolulu?

    Read reviews about Honolulu Hotels

    Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.

    Iolani Palace: IOLANI PALACE
  • Tip Rating:
  • LoriPori
  • By LoriPori on March 9, 2005
  • Honolulu Page by LoriPori
  • Iolani Palace - Honolulu
    Iolani Palace
    by LoriPori
    The only royal palace in the United States, IOLANI PALACE was completed in 1882, during the reign of King Kalakaua. Three architects were employed in its design, which features double lanai (porches) lined with Corinthean columns. After the overthrow of the monarchy, Iolani Palace served as a legislative building for the new government until 1968.

    Leave a Comment

  • Address: ON South King at Richards Street
  • Phone: 538-1471 for tour information
  • Directions: Downtown Honolulu
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Iolani Palace: Iolani Palace tip #2
  • Tip Rating:
  • TropicGirl77
  • By TropicGirl77 on February 22, 2004
  • Honolulu Page by TropicGirl77
  • Royal Palace Slippers - Honolulu
    Royal Palace Slippers
    by TropicGirl77
    On the guided tour, you will be handed a pair of Palace slippers ... these are unique ... this way you won't damage the newly restored wood floors. You can buy a pair in the gift shop if you really want to own a pair of royal slippers (that was a joke)

    Leave a Comment

  • Address: Iolani Palace
  • Directions: On King Street, across from the Statue of King Kamehameha
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Iolani Palace: Iolani Palace
  • Tip Rating:
  • kenmerk
  • By kenmerk on May 2, 2003
  • Honolulu Page by kenmerk
  • Iolani Palace, Honolulu - Honolulu
    Iolani Palace, Honolulu
    by kenmerk
    Located right in the heart of downtown Honolulu, Iolani Palace is the only royal palace in the United States. It was the official residence of Hawaiian monarchs from 1882 until 1893, when the monarchy was overthrown.

    Tours are available to see the palace. Or alternately, this is a quiet, shady area of Honolulu to come and lounge about...

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Iolani Palace: IOLANI PALACE PART 2
  • Tip Rating:
  • Onedragon
  • By Onedragon on August 21, 2006
  • Honolulu Page by Onedragon
  • VIEW FROM RICHARDS STREET - Honolulu
    VIEW FROM RICHARDS STREET
    by Onedragon, 4 more photos
    IT TOTALLY AMAZES ME THAT THIS BUILDING COULD HAVE BEEN TORN DOWN SOME TIME AGO.... BUT I AM SO VERY GLAD THAT SOME PEOPLE GOT TOGETHER TO PRESERVE IT AND RESTORE IT BACK TO WHAT IT WAS ONCE UPON A TIME... SWEET!!!!!!!Though its grandeur was neglected after the overthrow of the monarchy, restoration began in the 1970s through efforts of concerned individuals. Restoration and preservation continues, and, as a result, today's visitors to this National Historic Landmark in downtown Honolulu enjoy one of the most precise historic restorations and learn much about Hawaiian history and heritage.

    Leave a Comment

  • Address: CORNER OF KING AND RICHARDS STREETS
  • Phone: (808) 522-0832 or 522-0823
  • Directions: ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE DOWNTOWN POSTOFFICE AT 364 South King Street.
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Iolani Palace: Iolani Palace
  • Tip Rating:
  • Hopkid
  • By Hopkid on April 27, 2006
  • Honolulu Page by Hopkid
  • Iolani Palace - Honolulu
    by Hopkid,
    2 more photos
    Built by King David Kalakaua, the second to last of the Hawaiian monarchy, in 1882, Iolani Palace is the only royal residence in the United States. Before it was annexed by the U.S. after a bloodless coup mainly led by American businessmen, Hawaii was nation ruled by a monarchy that went back to Kamehameha the Great, the one who united all of the Hawaiian Islands. Kalakaua enjoyed the most advanced technological advances of the time, having installed electricity, a telephone, and a modern toilet. In fact Iolani Palace was wired for electricity before the White House in Washington, DC.

    After the overthrow of Queen Lili'uokalani in 1989, the palace became the capitol of the following governments, first of the republic, then the U.S. territory, and then the state before the new state capitol was finished nearby in 1969. Many of the furnishings were sold off by the republic and efforts are currently underway by a gropul called The Friends of Iolani Palace to track down are reacquire them. The two most fully restored rooms are the king's office and the throne room which includes the original thrones.

    Tours start approximately every half hour and begin with a video presentation in the Royal Guards barracks building nearby where the ticket office and gift shop are located. It is best to get there early to ensure a short wait for your appointed tour time. The first tour is at 9am. The palace is open Tuesday-Saturday until 2pm.

    Leave a Comment

  • Address: 364 South King Street
  • Phone: 808.522.0822
  • Directions: On King Street at Richard Street
  • Website: www.iolanipalace.org
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    More Honolulu Tips
    Overview
     
    Hotels and Accommodations
    Tips: 223 - Photos: 243
    Things To Do
    Tips: 703 - Photos: 1,198
    Nightlife
    Tips: 94 - Photos: 139
    Transportation
    Tips: 121 - Photos: 117
    Restaurants
    Tips: 312 - Photos: 371
    Shopping
    Tips: 92 - Photos: 192
    Off the Beaten Path
    Tips: 185 - Photos: 407
    Tourist Traps
    Tips: 65 - Photos: 36
    Warnings or Dangers
    Tips: 91 - Photos: 66
    Local Customs
    Tips: 79 - Photos: 109
    Packing Lists
    Tips: 40 - Photos: 26
    Sports Travel
    Tips: 27 - Photos: 56
    General Tips
    Tips: 230 - Photos: 280
    Flights
    Tips: 31 - Photos: 0

    Best Honolulu Travel Deals

    Best Hawaii Deals & Rates
    55%-75% Off Top Hawaiian Hotels Lowest Rates & Best Deals in Hawaii

    Honolulu Beach Hotel
    Approved Site- Courtyard Marriott Hotel in Honolulu. Save Online!

    Amazing Fall Specials
    Rooms Starting at $59 a Night. Space is Limited, So Book Today!

    Waikiki Hotels
    $69 Save 50% Off Waikiki Resort! Book Luxury In Waikiki Today & Save

    Honolulu Resort Deals
    Find the perfect hotel! Book online for the lowest prices guaranteed.

    Sponsored Links

    More Honolulu Travel Deals

    Honolulu Hilton Hotel
    Beachfront, Award-Winning Hotel. Book Direct from $189/night!

    Waikiki Hotels
    Reserve Now & Save up to 30% on Your Stay at Hyatt Hotels & Resorts

    Honolulu Hotels
    2 Blocks From The Beach. Free WiFi. Official Site. Call 800-315-2605.

    Sponsored Links


    Honolulu Hotels





    About VirtualTourist |  10 Great Things to Do On VirtualTourist |  Contact Us |  Press Center |  Help |  User Agreement |  Privacy Statement
    Virtual Tourist® ©1994-2009 VirtualTourist.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.