Iolani Palace

Dining Room

 Iolani Palace was first home to the Royal Family and then the center of Government from 1879 to 1969.  King David Kalakaua commissioned the building of the palace using all the most up to date ideas including indoor plumbing (flush toilets) and the telephone.  The King had electricity installed five years after the Palace was completed.

Stained Glass Part of the Ceiling.

 The king was well educated and spoke both Hawaiian and English equally well.  This palace was built so they could entertain others and hold official functions. 

Did you know, King David Kalakaua encouraged the arts in Hawaii, brought back hula and traveled outside of Hawaii?  He was loved by his people.

Modern Flush Bathroom

Based on its beauty, I would say no expense was spared.  It is absolutely beautiful and big.  It is probably bigger than most houses in Beverly Hills.  Although they had other residences, THIS was the one.

King David Kalakaua died early in 1891 and his sister, Queen Liliuokalani became the next ruler.  What is sad, is that she was forced to give up her throne and suffered much.  After she served her time in Iolani Palace, she went back to her house on Washington Place.

Sitting Room of the Bedroom

After Queen Liliuokalani vacated Iolani Palace it became the center of government for almost 75 years before it fell into disrepair but in 1969, the government moved into a new capital building built right next to the palace and the palace was restored.

Today, it is open for tours.  If you do the self guided tour, it can take an hour or two to go through, depending how through you want to be.

Did you know that Queen Liliuokalani wrote approximately 165 songs including the Queen's Prayer which was written during her imprisonment?  

Overthrowing the Government.

Imagine living in a world ruled by Kings or Queens. You've extended a welcome to people who come to your land,  let them set up businesses, own land, and even become part of the local in crowd.  And how do they repay you?  They arrange for you to be overthrown and your country is taken over and ruled by another country.

Your family united the country and has run it for multiple generations and you are given no choice but to abdicate.  None! 

This is what happened in Hawaii way back in the 1890's.  What you see is Iolani Palace built back around 1880 and owned by the Royal Family.  It was their residence and it was built to have the most modern amenities of the time.

There are regularly scheduled tours with tour guides or a self-tour you can take.  All visitors are required to cover their shoes so as to protect the flooring and keep it in as good shape as they can.


What is sad is that a few years after Queen Liliuokalani  was forced to yield her authority, she was convicted of leading a plot to overthrow the new government so she would rule again.

After a nasty trial in front of a military tribune, she was convicted of the crime and sentenced to 5 years of hard labor but that sentence was commuted so she ended up under house arrest in the palace.   Was she involved in the plot?   I don't know. 

There is a group that keeps the palace in its beautiful glory so all can see it and learn more about its history and its importance to the Hawaiian Peoples.  I have more pictures to share and more information on the family who built it.

Ohhh one more thing. If you ever have watched Hawaii 5-0 either version, you will have seen the outside of this building.....LOL