Iolani Palace, Honolulu

Iolani Palace was the residence of the Hawaiian monarchy for eleven years between 1882 and 1893, at which point events transpired that began the annexation of Hawaii as a territory of the United States. It continued to house the state government of Hawaii until the 1960's, and opened for tours in 1978 after several years of restoration. Restoration is ongoing and continues today, with the kings bedroom on the upper floor being completed in 2011.

Visitors can choose between a guided tour, or self-led audio tour. The guided tour is $20.00 and the self-led tour $13.00. We went on the self-led tour and found the content from the audio devices to be quite thorough.

The audio tour is very interesting and informative with regard to the history of the monarchs that lived there in the late 1800s. The monarchy was well-known and regarded in the international community during this period, and many of the paintings and artifacts on display were gifted from foreign dignitaries. King Kalakaua was somewhat of a technology and gadget buff, and as a result he palace featured modern conveniences for its time, such as indoor plumbing and a telephone system. The king arranged to meet Thomas Edison in New York during a world tour, and five years later the palace had electric lighting, even before the White House did.

I highly recommend this tour to anyone who enjoys history or is too sunburned to sit on the beach in Waikiki.

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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 Kalâkaua 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 Kalâkaua'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.

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This is the residence of the only royalty in the United States, This was the 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.

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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.

Since we didn't have time to take the tour we did the best thing and drove to see the Iolani Palace. It is the only authentic palace in the United States, so we wanted to at least walk on the grounds and take a photo. Right across the street you can view the statue of King Kamehameha. It was sent to Honolulu in 1883 after the first statue was lost at sea. The first statue was eventually salvaged and placed on The Big Island of Hawaii.

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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.

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A BEAUTIFUL PALACE AT THAT!!! A PLACE EVERYONE SHOULD SEE WHO IS IN HONOLULU..
IT IS GREAT WALKING AROUND THE ENTIRE AREA AND VIEWING THIS BUILDING AND THE OTHERS THAT COMPLEMENT IT SO WELL.

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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.