Iolani Palace

Iolani Palace The official royal palace for the Kalakaua Dynasty, which ruled Hawaii from 1874 through 1893. We are located in downtown Honolulu.
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Iolani Palace is a Hawaiian and national treasure that depends on private support. To assure its unique cultural, historical and spiritual qualities are maintained for future generations, please consider a gift to The Friends of Iolani Palace, a 501(c)(3) organization with the sole responsibility to serve as guardian and steward to preserve, restore, interpret, share, and celebrate Iolani Palace. To learn more, call (808) 522-0822, or go online at www.iolanipalace.org.

On September 6, 1891, Queen Liliʻuokalani’s husband, John Owen Dominis, was laid to rest. A service was held in the Thro...
09/06/2026

On September 6, 1891, Queen Liliʻuokalani’s husband, John Owen Dominis, was laid to rest. A service was held in the Throne Room, where the royal family and the public paid their respects. Kāhili bearers accompanied the service, as was customary for Hawaiian royalty. After the service, his remains were interred at the Royal Mausoleum at Mauna ʻAla.

Photo 1: John Owen Dominis, Hawaiʻi State Archives

Photo 2: Royal Mausoleum, Hawaiʻi State Archives

The Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī Coalition presents the sixth annual Hawaiian History Month with virtual and in-person events througho...
09/05/2026

The Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī Coalition presents the sixth annual Hawaiian History Month with virtual and in-person events throughout the month. TODAY, the public is invited to ʻIolani Palace for the following:

Ka Lei Maile Aliʻi – The Queen’s Women Living History Play (2-3pm)
A re-enactment of the 1897 Kūʻē Petition signing by the Hui Aloha ʻĀina o Nā Wahine in Hilo

Memory Walk (noon)
A chance to walk in the footsteps of Queen Liliʻuokalani from St. Andrews Cathedral to ʻIolani Palace

Mark your calendars for a special Kamaʻāina Sunday as we celebrate Hawaiian History Month and honor Queen Liliʻuokalani’...
09/04/2026

Mark your calendars for a special Kamaʻāina Sunday as we celebrate Hawaiian History Month and honor Queen Liliʻuokalani’s birthday this September.

Join us at ʻIolani Palace on Sunday, September 13, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for performances by Hālau ʻO Nāpualaʻikauikaʻiu, the Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Hawaiian Ensemble and The Kamalani Trio, along with hands-on cultural activities and free audio tours for kamaʻāina.

Bring your ʻohana and spend the day celebrating Hawaiʻi’s history and culture at ʻIolani Palace.

For the latest information, visit iolanipalace.org

Kamaʻāina Sunday support is provided by Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority through the Kūkulu Ola Program and by Hawaiian Native Corporation, LAUKOA.

On this day in 1886, the Pacific Commercial Advertiser published an article about Queen Liliʻuokalani’s birthday festiv...
09/03/2026

On this day in 1886, the Pacific Commercial Advertiser published an article about Queen Liliʻuokalani’s birthday festivities. It included descriptions of several gifts presented by various officials and societies:

• The motto “Onipaʻa” (steadfast) from the Marshal of the Hawaiian Kingdom

• A set of silver spoons and forks from the First Division of the Liliʻuokalani Educational Society

• The Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Kapiʻolani from King Kalākaua

• An inscribed silver water set consisting of a pitcher, cups and bowls from the Second Division of the Liliʻuokalani Educational Society

• A silver tea and coffee set with the name “Liliuokalani” engraved on each article from the Kuonoono Society (Savings Bank)

Photos: Hawaiʻi State Archives

Hauʻoli Lā Hānau e Liliʻuokalani! Today, we celebrate the birth of Hawaiʻi’s last queen. She was born Lydia Liliʻu Lolok...
09/02/2026

Hauʻoli Lā Hānau e Liliʻuokalani!

Today, we celebrate the birth of Hawaiʻi’s last queen. She was born Lydia Liliʻu Loloku Walania Kamakaʻeha to Analeʻa Keohokālole and Caeser Kapaʻakea in 1838 and raised by her hānai (adoptive) parents, High Chief Abner Pākī and Chiefess Laura Kōnia.

Over the course of her life, she selflessly served the Hawaiian people. She was a scholar, musician and composer. After the death of her younger brother William Pitt Leleiōhoku II, King Kalākaua named her heir apparent. Her legacy is one of great dedication, resilience and love for the people of Hawaiʻi.

In honor of Liliʻuokalani’s life and legacy, kamaʻāina are invited to enjoy free self-led audio tours throughout the day with a valid Hawaiʻi state ID, driver’s license or other proof of Hawaiʻi residency.

Photos: Hawaiʻi State Archives

We extend our sincerest mahalo to Target and members of our community for supporting The Friends of ʻIolani Palace throu...
09/02/2026

We extend our sincerest mahalo to Target and members of our community for supporting The Friends of ʻIolani Palace through Target Circle! By shopping and choosing The Friends, we were awarded $5,110.73—all of which will go towards perpetuating Hawaiian history and culture through the preservation and restoration of ʻIolani Palace.

On this day in 1989, Britain’s Right Honorable Lord Northfield presented a gift to the State of Hawaiʻi on behalf of Her...
08/29/2026

On this day in 1989, Britain’s Right Honorable Lord Northfield presented a gift to the State of Hawaiʻi on behalf of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Governor Waiheʻe accepted the gift on behalf of the State.

The gift followed Lord Northfield’s tour of ʻIolani Palace, where he noticed there was no image of Queen Victoria in the royal residence. He shared his observation with Queen Elizabeth II, who sent this engraving from the Royal Archives of Windsor Castle.

The original engraving was done in 1838 by Samuel Cousins from a portrait painted by Alfred Edward Chalon.

On August 27, 1862, Prince Albert Edward Kauikeaouli Leiopapa a Kamehameha, beloved son of Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma,...
08/28/2026

On August 27, 1862, Prince Albert Edward Kauikeaouli Leiopapa a Kamehameha, beloved son of Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma, passed away at the age of 4.

Following his birth, the king made the young prince heir to the throne. He was fond of fire engines, becoming an honorary member of the Honolulu Fire Department at age 3. He even participated in a parade held in honor of his father.

The royal prince spent his summers in Nuʻuanu Valley, where his mother had a summer palace that provided shelter from the heat.

Pictured: Prince Albert Edward Kauikeaouli Leiopapa a Kamehameha (Hawaiʻi State Archives)

In late August 1881, Kalākaua visited the International Exposition of Electric Light in Paris. He joined Mr. Siemens and...
08/25/2026

In late August 1881, Kalākaua visited the International Exposition of Electric Light in Paris.

He joined Mr. Siemens and other electrical engineers for the inaugural ride of the first electric streetcar put into service in the city. The streetcar traveled rapidly between the Palace of Industry and the Place de la Concorde.

The Spanish newspaper La Correspondencia de España reported on the momentous occasion in its August 31, 1881 issue.

Photo: Electric streetcar in Paris, August 1881 (Siemens)

During her tour of the Hawaiian Kingdom, Queen Liliʻuokalani delivered an address in ʻEwa on August 23, 1891. After revi...
08/23/2026

During her tour of the Hawaiian Kingdom, Queen Liliʻuokalani delivered an address in ʻEwa on August 23, 1891.

After reviewing accomplishments from her brother’s reign, Her Majesty spoke aobut the responsibility before her:

“...but now he is no more and the burden of conducting the government and the nation has fallen upon me. This is a great and difficult undertaking, and it can only be achieved by joining our shoulders together to the task.”

Her words call to mind an ʻōlelo noʻeau: “ʻAʻohe hana nui ke alu ʻia”, meaning no task too big when done together by all.

Address

PO Box 2259
Honolulu, HI
96813

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9am - 10am
10:30am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 10am
10:30am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 11:15am
12pm - 4pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm

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