Hulihee Palace, Big Island

Hulihee Palace at a Glance

Relive the life of the royals in this stylish mansion in the historic Kailua-Kona village. The New England-style Hulihee Palace was built in 1938 by John Adams Kuakini, a former governor, out of coral mortar and lava rock. It served as home to Hawaii’s royal family, making it one of the two royal residences in the U.S. (the other is Iolani Palace on Oahu).

Today, the palace offers a glimpse of life as a royal in the 19th century. Various relics and artifacts are displayed from the foyer to the hallways on the second floor. Make sure to check out the koa furniture, intricately crafted from the native acacia koa tree. Join one of the guided tours for a more in-depth look at Hawaiian royal folklore.

An earthquake partially destroyed the palace in 2006, but repairs were immediately put in place and the house is again open to the public. It is now run by the Daughters of Hawaii, an organization dedicated to preserving Hawaiian history and culture.

Many also consider Hulihee Palace a hub for folk entertainment. A music and hula concert is held here every month, each one honoring one of the Hawaiian monarchs. They are usually held on the last Sunday of the month except in June and December, when they coincide with the Kamehameha Day and Christmas respectively.

The palace lies across the street from the Mokuaikaua Church, the oldest Christian church in the state. Like the Hulihee Palace, it is made from lava stones and features New England-style architecture. Beside it is the tallest manmade structure on Kailua-Kona, a steeple rising up to 112 feet.

Hulihee Palace in Bullet Points

Hulihee Palace Location

Address: 75-5718 Alii Dr, Kailua Kona, HI 96740

Hulihee Palace Map (top)

Kailua-Kona Weather (top)

Now
73°F
Windchill:
73°F
Fair
Location: Kailua Kona, HI, US
Wind: 5 mph SE
Humidity: 59%
Visibility: 0.1 mi
Pressure: 29.99 in falling
Sunrise: 6:36 am
Sunset: 5:43 pm Fri
Hi: 83°F
Low: 73°F
Partly Cloudy
Sat
Hi: 84°F
Low: 74°F
Partly Cloudy