Huliheʻe Palace facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Huliheʻe Palace
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 Location in Hawaii
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| Location | 75-5718 Aliʻi Drive, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1838 |
| Architect | John Adams Kuakini |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000653 |
| Added to NRHP | May 25, 1973 |
The Huliheʻe Palace is a really cool historic building in Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi. It's right on Ali'i Drive, which is a famous street. This palace used to be a special vacation home for the Hawaiian royal family! Today, it's a museum run by a group called the Daughters of Hawaiʻi. Inside, you can see old furniture and amazing items that belonged to Hawaiian royalty. The palace is located at 75–5718 Aliʻi Drive in Kailua-Kona.
Contents
A Home for Royalty
The Huliheʻe Palace was first built from lava rock. It was constructed by John Adams Kuakini, who was the governor of the island of Hawaiʻi during the time of the Hawaiian Kingdom.
Who Lived Here?
When Governor Kuakini passed away in 1844, he left the palace to his hānai (adopted) son, William Pitt Leleiohoku I. Sadly, Leleiohoku died in 1848 during a measles outbreak. The palace then went to his son, John William Pitt Kīnaʻu. But he also died young, so the palace was given to his mother, Princess Ruth Keʻelikōlani.
Princess Ruth made Huliheʻe her main home for most of her life. Interestingly, she preferred to sleep in a traditional grass hut on the palace grounds instead of inside the palace itself! She often invited all the Hawaiian monarchs, from Kamehameha III to Queen Liliʻuokalani, to vacation at Huliheʻe. When Princess Ruth died, she left the palace to her cousin, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop.
Changes and a New Name
Later, the palace was sold to King Kalākaua and Queen Kapiʻolani. King Kalākaua gave the palace a new name: Hikulani Hale. This means “House of the Seventh Ruler,” because he was the seventh monarch of the monarchy that started with King Kamehameha I.
In 1885, King Kalākaua had the outside of the palace covered with plaster. This made the building look more fancy and refined. After King Kalākaua passed away, the palace went to Queen Kapiʻolani. She then left Huliheʻe Palace to her two nephews, Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole Piʻikoi and Prince David Kawānanakoa.
Becoming a Museum
In 1927, a special group called the Daughters of Hawaiʻi stepped in. This group works hard to protect the history and culture of the Hawaiian Islands. They fixed up Huliheʻe Palace and turned it into a museum. This way, everyone can visit and learn about Hawaiian royalty! The palace was added to the National Register of Historic Places listings on the island of Hawaii in 1973.
Earthquake Damage
In 2006, an earthquake hit the Kohala coast. The palace's walls and ceiling got some small cracks from the shaking.
Images for kids
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Huliheʻe Palace, seen from Aliʻi Drive.
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Huliheʻe Palace after the 2006 earthquake. (January 2007)
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South wall after the 2006 earthquake. (January 2007)
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Earthquake damage, as of January 2007.
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Princess Ruth's grass house that stood on the palace grounds.
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Gate with royal crest at Huilihe'e Palace. (October 2012)
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Gate post ornament with Kahili motif at Hulihe`e Palace. (October 2012)
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Side view of Hulihe`e Palace. (October 2012)
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Side view of Hulihe`e Palace through the palm trees. (October 2012)
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Stone wall and gate of Hulihe'e Palace with musicians in the yard. (October 2012)
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Historic marker at Hulihe`e Palace. (October 2012)
See also
In Spanish: Palacio de Hulihee para niños
