Iolani Palace

04/18/2021

In 1850 Honolulu’s volunteer fire department was organized. David Kalakaua joined and in 1871 was elected foreman of engine company number 4. He did not abandon his responsibilities as a volunteer firefighter after being elected King and responded to fires with the rest of the department.

#Onthisday in 1886 a few minutes before 4 p.m., a fire was accidently started in a Chinese cook house on Hotel Street. According to the Hawaiian Gazette, “the King true to his instincts of an old fireman, was promptly on hand and personally directed the work on Maunakea Street. Here he did excellent work urging on the willing men and exerting himself in the attempt to stay the work of the raging flames. Again, and again did the men under his command strive to stay the flames, and again and again were they driven back.”

When the Honolulu Daily Press went to print after midnight, firefighters were still working to extinguish the last of the ‘embers.’ By the time the flames were put out, Chinatown was leveled from Queen to Beretania and from Nuuanu to River Streets.

The following day, the Privy Council approved a resolution providing financial relief for victims of the fire that destroyed much of Chinatown. Resolutions are similar to today’s emergency declarations for natural disasters. The fire that had started in the afternoon of April 18 in a building on the corner of Smith and Hotel Streets lasted three days and destroyed 500 homes and businesses.

04/15/2021

#Onthisday in 1889, Father Damien passed away at the age of 49.
Born Joseph DeVeuster in Belgium in 1840, he joined the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts as a priest, taking the name Damien after he arrived in Hawaii. His first calling was on Hawaii island. In 1873, he volunteered to work with Hansen’s disease patients on the island of Molokai.

Always focused on caring for his congregation, Father Damien did not hesitate to solicit the Hawaiian government and his church for more resources. In 1881, the Princess Regent Liliuokalani visited Father Damien and awarded him the Royal Order of Kalakaua in recognition of his work. He was eventually diagnosed with Hansen’s disease.

In 1936 at the request of the Belgium government, Father Damien’s remains were exhumed and reburied at Louvain, Belgium. In 1995, a relic (remains of his right hand) was returned to his original grave at Kalawao. In 2009, Damien was canonized a Saint in the Catholic Church.

Pictured: Statue of Father Damien at St. Joseph Church, Kalawao, Molokai.

#Onthisday in 1889, Father Damien passed away at the age of 49.
Born Joseph DeVeuster in Belgium in 1840, he joined the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts as a priest, taking the name Damien after he arrived in Hawaii. His first calling was on Hawaii island. In 1873, he volunteered to work with Hansen’s disease patients on the island of Molokai.

Always focused on caring for his congregation, Father Damien did not hesitate to solicit the Hawaiian government and his church for more resources. In 1881, the Princess Regent Liliuokalani visited Father Damien and awarded him the Royal Order of Kalakaua in recognition of his work. He was eventually diagnosed with Hansen’s disease.

In 1936 at the request of the Belgium government, Father Damien’s remains were exhumed and reburied at Louvain, Belgium. In 1995, a relic (remains of his right hand) was returned to his original grave at Kalawao. In 2009, Damien was canonized a Saint in the Catholic Church.

Pictured: Statue of Father Damien at St. Joseph Church, Kalawao, Molokai.

04/14/2021

Curious about how Hawaiian feather work artist Kawika Lum-Nelmida and his team crafted two re-creation sets of kahili for the King's and Queen's bedrooms? Register for the next episode of our Virtual Discussion Series: Creating the King’s and Queen’s Kahili on Monday, April 19 at 12 p.m., HST where Kawika will join us to discuss the process he and his team undertook to create the kahili including everything from research and design to installation protocol. Following the presentation, viewers will have the opportunity to participate in a live Q&A with Kawika.

The Virtual Discussion Series is complimentary for The Friends of Iolani Palace members and $10 for non-members. Registration is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Space is limited, so secure your spot today! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/creating-the-kings-and-queens-kahili-tickets-149627721543

04/12/2021

On April 12, 1877, King Kalakaua named his sister Her Royal Highness Lydia Kamakaeha Liliuokalani as heir to the Throne. Prior to this date in the newspapers, she was usually referred to as Princess Lydia Kamakaeha, or Princess Kamakaeha, and at least on one occasion Mrs. Dominis Jr. to differentiate her from her mother-in-law. From this date forward she was known as Princess Liliuokalani.

Pictured: Liliuokalani before 1880. PC: Hawaii State Archives.

On April 12, 1877, King Kalakaua named his sister Her Royal Highness Lydia Kamakaeha Liliuokalani as heir to the Throne. Prior to this date in the newspapers, she was usually referred to as Princess Lydia Kamakaeha, or Princess Kamakaeha, and at least on one occasion Mrs. Dominis Jr. to differentiate her from her mother-in-law. From this date forward she was known as Princess Liliuokalani.

Pictured: Liliuokalani before 1880. PC: Hawaii State Archives.

04/08/2021

Mahalo to Kaunamano Farm and Kamehameha Schools for the $10,000 gift to support our efforts to protect, preserve, and perpetuate Iolani Palace. Kaunamano Farm owner Brandon Lee offered a special promotional fundraising package of locally raised-products last summer through its Eating with Impact program and donated $20 of each purchase to The Friends of Iolani Palace. The promotion raised $5,000 and Kamehameha Schools matched the Farm’s donation for a grand total of $10,000.

Food security and sustainability is important to Hawaii so is sustainability of our cultural resources, like the Palace. Plus, it’s appropriate that Brandon raises hogs. In 1883, King Kalakaua won first place at the Royal Hawaiian Agricultural Society, for having the fattest native pig!

Pictured left to right are Kaikena Scanlan and Brandon Lee of Kaunamano Farm, Friends of Iolani Palace Executive Director Paula Akana, and Kamehameha Schools Trustee Lance Wilhelm. PC: Kamehameha Schools.

Mahalo to Kaunamano Farm and Kamehameha Schools for the $10,000 gift to support our efforts to protect, preserve, and perpetuate Iolani Palace. Kaunamano Farm owner Brandon Lee offered a special promotional fundraising package of locally raised-products last summer through its Eating with Impact program and donated $20 of each purchase to The Friends of Iolani Palace. The promotion raised $5,000 and Kamehameha Schools matched the Farm’s donation for a grand total of $10,000.

Food security and sustainability is important to Hawaii so is sustainability of our cultural resources, like the Palace. Plus, it’s appropriate that Brandon raises hogs. In 1883, King Kalakaua won first place at the Royal Hawaiian Agricultural Society, for having the fattest native pig!

Pictured left to right are Kaikena Scanlan and Brandon Lee of Kaunamano Farm, Friends of Iolani Palace Executive Director Paula Akana, and Kamehameha Schools Trustee Lance Wilhelm. PC: Kamehameha Schools.

04/07/2021

#Onthisday in 1886, King Kalakaua and the Royal Hawaiian Band were in Hilo to celebrate the birthday of Princess Poomaikelani, Governess of Hawaii Island.

In the days leading up to her birthday, the band played in different locations around Hilo.

On her birthday, April 7, the band played at her home. Her birthday was celebrated with boat races in the morning, a luau in the afternoon and a ball in the evening. The celebration continued through April 8 with an ice cream festival and an exhibition of paintings by Jules Tavernier.

This painting by Paul Petrovitz in The Friends of Iolani Palace collection.

#Onthisday in 1886, King Kalakaua and the Royal Hawaiian Band were in Hilo to celebrate the birthday of Princess Poomaikelani, Governess of Hawaii Island.

In the days leading up to her birthday, the band played in different locations around Hilo.

On her birthday, April 7, the band played at her home. Her birthday was celebrated with boat races in the morning, a luau in the afternoon and a ball in the evening. The celebration continued through April 8 with an ice cream festival and an exhibition of paintings by Jules Tavernier.

This painting by Paul Petrovitz in The Friends of Iolani Palace collection.

04/06/2021

Join us for our next episode of our Virtual Discussion Series: Creating the King’s and Queen’s Kahili on Monday, April 19 at 12 p.m., HST. Hawaiian feather work artist Kawika Lum-Nelmida will discuss the process he and his team undertook to create two re-creation sets of kahili for the King’s and Queen’s bedrooms – from research and design to installation protocol.

The Virtual Discussion Series is complimentary for The Friends of Iolani Palace members and $10 for non-members. Registration is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Space is limited, so secure your spot today!

Register now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/creating-the-kings-and-queens-kahili-tickets-149627721543

Join us for our next episode of our Virtual Discussion Series: Creating the King’s and Queen’s Kahili on Monday, April 19 at 12 p.m., HST. Hawaiian feather work artist Kawika Lum-Nelmida will discuss the process he and his team undertook to create two re-creation sets of kahili for the King’s and Queen’s bedrooms – from research and design to installation protocol.

The Virtual Discussion Series is complimentary for The Friends of Iolani Palace members and $10 for non-members. Registration is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Space is limited, so secure your spot today!

Register now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/creating-the-kings-and-queens-kahili-tickets-149627721543

04/05/2021

Next time you have back-to-back appointments or Zoom meetings, think about King Kalakaua’s schedule #onthisday in 1890 when he welcomed four different sets of guests consecutively.

At 9:30 a.m., he greeted Mr. C. S. Noyes, Editor of the Washington, D.C. newspaper the Washington Evening Star, as well as Miss Noyes and Miss Winifred Sweet of San Francisco.

At 10:00 a.m., he hosted Mr. James Mills, Managing Director of the Union Steamship Co. of New Zealand, and his wife, along with the Hon. Col. and Mrs. Gardiner of England.

At 10:30 a.m., Honolulu attorney Paul Neumann and his daughter, Eva Neumann Fowler, paid the King a visit.

Finally, at 11:00 a.m., Rev. Alexander Mackintosh of St. Andrew’s Church introduced the Rev. Archdeacon and Mrs. Shaw of Yokohama to the King. Also meeting the King was Capt. C. Young of S.S. Yamashiro Maru, who was accompanied by Miss Young.

Next time you have back-to-back appointments or Zoom meetings, think about King Kalakaua’s schedule #onthisday in 1890 when he welcomed four different sets of guests consecutively.

At 9:30 a.m., he greeted Mr. C. S. Noyes, Editor of the Washington, D.C. newspaper the Washington Evening Star, as well as Miss Noyes and Miss Winifred Sweet of San Francisco.

At 10:00 a.m., he hosted Mr. James Mills, Managing Director of the Union Steamship Co. of New Zealand, and his wife, along with the Hon. Col. and Mrs. Gardiner of England.

At 10:30 a.m., Honolulu attorney Paul Neumann and his daughter, Eva Neumann Fowler, paid the King a visit.

Finally, at 11:00 a.m., Rev. Alexander Mackintosh of St. Andrew’s Church introduced the Rev. Archdeacon and Mrs. Shaw of Yokohama to the King. Also meeting the King was Capt. C. Young of S.S. Yamashiro Maru, who was accompanied by Miss Young.

04/04/2021

Happy Easter from Iolani Palace! Have you found any hidden golden eggs this week? Today is the last day to participate in our virtual Royal Egg Hunt. Simply visit our online Palace Shop to search for a hidden golden egg and uncover special gifts and savings. Visit iolanipalace.org/shop — happy hunting!

Happy Easter from Iolani Palace! Have you found any hidden golden eggs this week? Today is the last day to participate in our virtual Royal Egg Hunt. Simply visit our online Palace Shop to search for a hidden golden egg and uncover special gifts and savings. Visit iolanipalace.org/shop — happy hunting!

04/03/2021

#Onthisday in 1882, His Excellency Michinori S. Nagasaki of Japan accompanied King Kalakaua on a trip around Oahu. They spent the night at Major Boyd’s Kailua ranch and the next day had a “very excellent lunch” at the home of John McKeague.

Nagasaki was a member of the committee that welcomed Kalakaua to Japan in 1881.

While in Honolulu, he invested H.R.H. Princess Liliuokalani, Governor John Owen Dominis, the Honorable Archibald S. Cleghorn and the Honorable Charles R. Bishop with the Grand Cross of the Royal Order of the Rising Sun (pictured).

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One of our newest specialty tours, the Hawaii’s Royal Connection to Japan Tour, explores how the Hawaiian Kingdom established the relationship with the Asian nation, which continues to the present day. This exclusive opportunity brings King Kalakaua’s 1881 journey to Japan to life. During this docent-led tour, guests will have access to restricted areas throughout the Palace for an up-close look at precious objects, learn about people in Kalakaua’s inner circle, and hear stories about the King’s efforts to strengthen the Kingdom’s position on the world stage.

The tour is offered on Wednesdays at 1 pm. Book now or learn more at www.iolanipalace.org/visit/tours-admission/hawaii-royal-connection-japan.

04/01/2021

We're kicking off Easter early with an egg-citing virtual Royal Egg Hunt! Hop on to our online Palace Shop from today through Sunday, April 4 to search for a hidden golden egg and uncover special gifts and savings. New prizes are released daily. Visit www.iolanipalace.org/shop now to begin your search — happy hunting!

We're kicking off Easter early with an egg-citing virtual Royal Egg Hunt! Hop on to our online Palace Shop from today through Sunday, April 4 to search for a hidden golden egg and uncover special gifts and savings. New prizes are released daily. Visit www.iolanipalace.org/shop now to begin your search — happy hunting!

03/31/2021

#WomensHistoryMonth: Liliuokalani Kawananakoa Morris was born in 1905 and was the youngest daughter of Prince Kawananakoa. She was active in various Hawaiian Civic Clubs, a member of Hale O Na Alii, the Kaahumanu Society, and the Daughters of Hawaii. She also served on the Hawaiian Homes Commission.

Liliuokalani holds a special place in our history as she established The Friends of Iolani Palace in 1966 and served as its President until her death in 1969. Without her, the women of the Junior League of Hawaii, and hundreds of other volunteers, Iolani Palace would not have been restored to its previous monarch era grandeur.

#WomensHistoryMonth: Liliuokalani Kawananakoa Morris was born in 1905 and was the youngest daughter of Prince Kawananakoa. She was active in various Hawaiian Civic Clubs, a member of Hale O Na Alii, the Kaahumanu Society, and the Daughters of Hawaii. She also served on the Hawaiian Homes Commission.

Liliuokalani holds a special place in our history as she established The Friends of Iolani Palace in 1966 and served as its President until her death in 1969. Without her, the women of the Junior League of Hawaii, and hundreds of other volunteers, Iolani Palace would not have been restored to its previous monarch era grandeur.

03/29/2021

Iolani Palace Webinar: Caring for Palace Collections

It's not too late to register! Join us tomorrow for our next virtual event: Caring for Palace Collections on Tuesday, March 30 at 12 p.m., HST. Meet Iolani Palace's Collection Manager Leona Hamano virtually in the attic to get up close with items in the Iolani Palace collection not on display to the general public. Attendees will learn about the special care it takes to protect and preserve these precious cultural objects for future generations. Following the program, viewers will have the opportunity to participate in a live Q&A .

This one-time event is complimentary for Friends of Iolani Palace members and $10 for non-members. Registration is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Space is limited, so secure your spot today! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/iolani-palace-webinar-caring-for-palace-collections-tickets-145957285169

Note: If you are unable to join live, be sure to still register so you can receive an exclusive webinar recording the following day.

Iolani Palace Sharing Manao Virtual Discussion Series: Caring for Palace Collections

03/29/2021

#WomensHistoryMonth: Princess Elizabeth Kahanu Kalanianaole, was a descendant of a Maui alii family and wife of Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole.

After the death of Queen Kapiolani in 1899, Princess Kalanianaole was appointed President of the Kapiolani Maternity Home, a position she held until her death.

Princess Kalanianaole was described as a noted hostess in Honolulu and Washington, D.C., where her husband represented the Territory of Hawaii in Congress from 1902 until his death in 1922. Two years after women were granted the right to vote, Princess Kalanianaole created the Hawaiian Women’s Republican Auxiliary, whose mission was to educate women on political issues. She remained active in politics until her death in 1932.

PC: Hawaii State Archives

#WomensHistoryMonth: Princess Elizabeth Kahanu Kalanianaole, was a descendant of a Maui alii family and wife of Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole.

After the death of Queen Kapiolani in 1899, Princess Kalanianaole was appointed President of the Kapiolani Maternity Home, a position she held until her death.

Princess Kalanianaole was described as a noted hostess in Honolulu and Washington, D.C., where her husband represented the Territory of Hawaii in Congress from 1902 until his death in 1922. Two years after women were granted the right to vote, Princess Kalanianaole created the Hawaiian Women’s Republican Auxiliary, whose mission was to educate women on political issues. She remained active in politics until her death in 1932.

PC: Hawaii State Archives