ʻIolani Palace facts for kids
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ʻIolani Palace
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ʻIolani Palace is the hallmark of Hawaiian renaissance architecture
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| Location | Honolulu, HI |
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| Area | 10.6 acres (4.3 ha) |
| Built | 1845(original) 1879(Current) |
| Architect | Thomas J. Baker, Charles J. Wall, Isaac Moore |
| Architectural style | American Florentine |
| Part of | Hawaii Capital Historic District (ID78001020) |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000293 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | December 29, 1962 |
The ʻIolani Palace (Hawaiian: Hale Aliʻi ʻIolani) was once the beautiful home for the kings and queens of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi. It was first used by King Kamehameha III in 1845 and was the last home of Queen Liliʻuokalani in 1893. You can find it in downtown Honolulu in the U.S. state of Hawaiʻi.
This palace is a very important historical place. After the Hawaiian monarchy ended in 1893, the building became the government's main office. It served different governments until 1969. The palace was later fixed up and opened as a museum in 1978. It is special because it is the only royal palace in the United States.
Contents
Early History of the Palace Site
Pohukaina and Royal Burials
In the early 1800s, the land where ʻIolani Palace now stands was near an ancient burial ground called Pohukaina. This area was sacred. Many important Hawaiian chiefs, known as aliʻi, were buried here.
The first Western-style royal tomb was built here in 1825. It was for King Kamehameha II and his queen, Kamāmalu. They were buried on August 23, 1825. The idea for this tomb came from the tombs at Westminster Abbey in London. The mausoleum was a small house made of coral blocks. Two chiefs guarded its iron-locked door day and night.
Over time, the small tomb became too full. In 1865, eighteen coffins were moved to the Royal Mausoleum of Hawaiʻi, called Mauna ʻAla. But many chiefs still rest at Pohukaina. In 1930, a metal fence and a plaque were added to honor this important site.
Hale Aliʻi: The First Palace
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In 1844, a chief named Kekūanaōʻa started building a large home on this site. It was meant to be a gift for his daughter, Victoria Kamāmalu. However, King Kamehameha III bought the house instead. He made it his royal home when he moved the capital to Honolulu in 1845. This building became the first ʻIolani Palace.
This first palace was a wood and stone building called Hale Aliʻi, which means "House of the Chiefs." It was much smaller than the palace you see today. It had special rooms for meetings and dining, but the king often slept in a separate, cooler grass hut nearby.
ʻIolani Palace Gets Its Name
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During the rule of King Kamehameha V, the name of Hale Aliʻi was changed to ʻIolani Palace. This new name honored his brother, King Kamehameha IV, whose middle name was ʻIolani. The name refers to the ʻIo, a royal hawk.
This first palace was the official home for several Hawaiian monarchs. It was a grand house for its time, used for important meetings and welcoming visitors. The monarchs often preferred to sleep in private homes nearby.
Kalākaua's New ʻIolani Palace
By the time King David Kalākaua became ruler, the old ʻIolani Palace was in poor condition. It had damage from termites. King Kalākaua decided to tear down the old palace.
King Kalākaua was the first Hawaiian monarch to travel around the world. He saw the grand palaces in Europe and dreamed of building a new royal palace for Hawaiʻi. He wanted a palace that would show Hawaiʻi was a modern and important kingdom. So, he ordered the building of a brand new ʻIolani Palace.
Building the New Palace
Three architects helped design the new palace: Thomas J. Baker, Charles J. Wall, and Isaac Moore. The first stone was laid on December 31, 1879. The palace was built with brick and concrete. It was finished in November 1882 and cost over $340,000. This was a huge amount of money back then!
The palace is about 140 feet (43 m) long and 100 feet (30 m) wide. It stands 54 feet (16 m) tall with towers reaching 76 feet (23 m). On February 12, 1883, King Kalākaua had a formal coronation ceremony. A special building, called Keliiponi Hale, was built for this event. It was later moved and became a bandstand for the Royal Hawaiian Band.
ʻIolani Palace has a unique architectural style called American Florentine. Inside, you can see a grand hall with a beautiful staircase made of koa wood. The palace has a throne room, a blue meeting room, and a dining room. Upstairs were the private library and bedrooms of the Hawaiian monarchs. The blue room had a large portrait of King Louis Philippe of France and a koa wood piano. Queen Liliʻuokalani used to play her music on this piano for her guests.
The palace was the official home of the Hawaiian monarch until the monarchy ended in 1893. After that, Queen Liliʻuokalani and other royal family members had to leave the palace.
Royal Imprisonment and Trial
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After the monarchy was overthrown in 1893, new government troops took control of ʻIolani Palace. The building was renamed the "Executive Building." Government workers moved in, and many of the palace's original furnishings were sold.
Queen Liliʻuokalani was later held prisoner in a small room on the upper floor for nine months in 1895. This was after a rebellion. The quilt she made during her imprisonment is still there today. The room is now called the Imprisonment Room or Quilt Room. Her trial was held in what used to be the throne room.
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On August 12, 1898, U.S. troops came ashore and raised the Flag of the United States at the palace. This marked Hawaiʻi becoming part of the United States. The Queen and other Hawaiian nobles did not attend this event. The building then served as the capital for the Territory of Hawaiʻi and later the State of Hawaiʻi. During this time, the royal bedroom became the governor's office. The legislature met in the former throne room and dining room.
When Queen Liliuokalani passed away in 1917, her funeral was held in the palace's throne room.
Hawaiian Archives
After Hawaiʻi became part of the U.S., there was a concern that all historical records might be moved away. Since 1847, important kingdom records had been carefully kept. A new fireproof building was built in 1906 on the palace grounds to store these documents. It was called the Archives of Hawaiʻi. Today, you can access some of these collections digitally.
Palace Restoration and Public Opening
In 1930, the inside of ʻIolani Palace was updated. Its original name, ʻIolani Palace, was officially brought back in 1935. During World War II, the palace was used as a temporary military headquarters.
Over 70 years, the palace was used as a government building and became quite worn down. After Hawaiʻi became a state, Governor John A. Burns started efforts to restore the palace in the 1960s. The government offices moved out in 1969 to a new building.
The Junior League of Honolulu helped research how the palace looked and what furniture it had in the 1800s. The Friends of ʻIolani Palace group, led by Liliʻuokalani Kawānanakoa Morris, oversaw the restoration. Many original items were returned to the palace. New fabrics and finishes were made to match the original look.
ʻIolani Palace opened to the public as a museum in 1978. In the basement, you can see photos of the palace, royal decorations, and learn about the restoration work. The Friends of ʻIolani Palace now manage the palace building as a historical museum. The birthdays of King Kalākaua (November 16) and Queen Kapiʻolani (December 28) are celebrated here.
ʻIolani Palace is one of the few places in Hawaiʻi where the flag of Hawaiʻi can fly by itself, without the American flag.
Contemporary Events at the Palace
On January 17, 1993, a large event was held at ʻIolani Palace. It marked 100 years since the Hawaiian monarchy ended. A torchlight vigil was held at night, and the palace was covered in black cloth.
On April 30, 2008, a group of native Hawaiians called the Hawaiian Kingdom Government gathered at ʻIolani Palace. They were protesting what they saw as unfair rule by the United States. The group said they did not recognize Hawaiʻi as a U.S. state. The Friends of ʻIolani Palace stated that while they respected the group's right to protest, blocking public access to the palace was not helpful.
ʻIolani Palace in Pop Culture
The outside of the palace was often shown on the 1968 TV show Hawaii Five-O. It was shown as the headquarters for the fictional state police. It was also featured in the TV series Jake and the Fatman in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
A movie called Princess Kaiulani was filmed at the palace in 2008. This movie was about Princess Victoria Kaʻiulani Cleghorn.
Images for kids
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Iolani Palace in 1899
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Grand Staircase
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Throne Room
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Palace gate displaying the Royal Arms of the Hawaiian Kingdom
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Coronation Bandstand at 'Iolani Palace
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Drawing Room - portrait of Lili'uokalani
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Lanai where Queen Lili'uokalani walked in the evenings of 1895–96, when she was held captive in the palace
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See also
In Spanish: Palacio 'Iolani para niños
