Iolani Palace at a Glance
The Iolani Palace in Honolulu, Hawaii, was built as a
seat of government by the “Merry Monarch” King David
Kalakaua, Hawaii’s final king and the first monarch to
travel around the world visiting other sovereign states.
Inspired by the grand palaces owned by other monarchs
around the world, he constructed his own in a location
that is now downtown Honolulu on the island of Oahu. Completed in 1882, it
cost over $360,000. Not only is it an architectural
masterpiece, but it had electricity and telephones four
years before the White House did.
The Iolani Palace kept its splendor as a royal residence
until the king’s successor, his sister Queen
Liliuokalani, was overthrown and imprisoned here. After
eight months of imprisonment and to avoid further
bloodshed of her people, the Queen surrendered to the
U.S. and Hawaii became a U.S. territory. Iolani Palace
was then used as a capitol for the new territory and
then after 1959, when Hawaii became the 50th state, for
the state of Hawaii.In 1969, a new state capitol was
built and the neglected Iolani Palace was restored with
the efforts of the “Friends of Iolani Palace.” For
Native Hawaiians, the Iolani Palace is a reminder of the
royal heritage of Hawaii and a symbol for the
restoration of Hawaii’s independence and sovereignty.
Visitors can do a self-guided tour. However, a guided
tour is best since there are areas that are off-limits
to unguided guests.
Iolani Palace in Bullet Points
- Iolani Palace is the only royal palace in the Unites
States
- Located in downtown Honolulu
- It was constructed as seat of the government in
1882 by King David Kalakaua and his wife Queen Kapiolani
Iolani Palace Hours
Open for individual and group tours from Tuesday
through Saturday (closed on Sunday and Monday).
Guided Tour: 9 am to 11:15 am (every 15 minutes)
Audio Self-Guided Tour (45 min. duration): 11:45 am
through 3:30 pm (every 10 minutes)
Self-Guided Gallery Tour: 9 am to 5 pm
Iolani Palace Admission
Guided Tour: Adult-$20; Children (5-12)-$5; Hawaii
Resident/Military-$15
Audio Self-Guided Tour: Adult-$13; Children (5-12)-$5
Self-Guided Gallery Tour: Adult-$6; Children (5-12)-$3
Galleries and docent-guided tours are free of charge
for Hawaii residents (identification required) on
Kamaaina Sundays (usually on the first Sunday of the
month). See Iolani Palace website for details:
iolanipalace.org
Ticket Office: Iolani Barracks on the Palace grounds
Driving Directions to Iolani Palace / Location
The Iolani Palace is located on 364 South King Street in
downtown Honolulu. It's about a ten-minute drive from Waikiki.
If you don't have a car, you can take bus number 2,13, 19,
20, which all stop near the palace.
Address: 364 South King Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Iolani Palace Map (top)
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