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 May 30, 1850, Dr. Gerritt Judd, Alexander Liholiho (later Kamehameha IV) and Lot Kamehameha (later Kamehameha V) met ...
05/31/2026

On May 30, 1850, Dr. Gerritt Judd, Alexander Liholiho (later Kamehameha IV) and Lot Kamehameha (later Kamehameha V) met with U.S. President Zachary Taylor in the White House.

Liholiho, then 16 years old, wrote in his journal, “As he [the President] entered, he said some few words to this effect - ‘gentlemen, I am at your service.’ I sat next to him and had some little conversation, but the old fellow’s mind seemed to be on other subjects besides receiving visitors.”

Photo: Left – Kamehameha V; Middle – Dr. Gerritt Judd; Right – Kamehameha IV

On May 29, 1882, Honolulu’s Daily Bulletin noted that May 30 was “Decoration Day” in the United States, when relatives a...
05/30/2026

On May 29, 1882, Honolulu’s Daily Bulletin noted that May 30 was “Decoration Day” in the United States, when relatives and friends of those who died during the Civil War visit graves and decorate them with flowers.

The following day, as a result of that story, an impromptu gathering of about 40 veterans from that war gathered at the Government hotel, where the U. S. Minister Resident presided. After a prayer, all enjoyed a “sumptuous meal,” followed by toasts, speeches, and songs.

The following year, the George W. DeLong Post, an organization of Civil War veterans, observed Decoration Day with a parade up Nuʻuanu Avenue to Oʻahu Cemetery. The program included a poem entitled “The Blue and the Gray,” an address and the decoration of graves of American and British soldiers and sailors.

Photo: Army personnel on parade in Honolulu – most likely a Decoration Day Parade in the 1920s (Hawaiʻi State Archives)

On Saturday, May 28, 1881, Kalākaua arrived in Calcutta, now known as Kolkata, India. The Calcutta Englishman reported ...
05/28/2026

On Saturday, May 28, 1881, Kalākaua arrived in Calcutta, now known as Kolkata, India.

The Calcutta Englishman reported that he expressed a wish that all formalities surrounding his visit be set aside. The paper described him as “a finished English scholar,” nothing that he was musical, able to perform on a variety of instruments and compose, and that he also wrote poetry. It added that he enjoyed cricket, chess, baseball, archery and billiards, and was “passionately fond of anything military.”

After landing, Kalākaua visited the zoological gardens and attended a concert in the city park. The following day, accompanied by the Chief Justice of Bengal Sir Richard Garth, he visited the courts and listened to several cases argued entirely by native lawyers in English. Kalākaua left Calcutta on May 30 by railway, heading across the Indian subcontinent for Bombay, now known as Mumbai.

Photo: Kalākaua and staff (Hawaiʻi State Archives)

05/28/2026

Target Circle Guest Giving is underway, and supporters outside of Hawaiʻi have a way to vote for ʻIolani Palace, too.

Please vote by June 30 through the Target app or Target.com Each eligible purchase earns Target Circle members a vote, at no added cost, and each vote helps support the preservation and educational work of the Palace.

The video walks you through the steps, or follow along here:

Step 1: Choose ‘My Target’ in the Target app or ‘Account’ on Target.com
Step 2: Scroll to ‘My Store’ and type in ‘Honolulu’ to select O’ahu store
Step 3: Under Target Circle™ Benefits, tap ‘Explore ’
Step 3: Tap ‘Vote for non-profits’
Step 4: Find ‘Iolani Palace & vote!

Mahalo for supporting ʻIolani Palace from wherever you are! Sign up for Target Circle and start voting today.

05/28/2026

Target Circle Guest Giving is now underway, offering Target Circle members a simple way to give back while shopping.

Please vote for ʻIolani Palace by June 30 through the Target app or Target.com. Each eligible purchase earns you a vote at no additional cost, and each vote helps support the Palace's preservation and educational work.

The video walks you through the steps, or follow along here:

Step 1: Choose ‘My Target’ in the Target app or ‘Account’ on Target.com
Step 2: Under Target Circle™ Benefits, tap ‘Explore ’
Step 3: Tap ‘Vote for non-profits’
Step 4: Find ‘Iolani Palace & vote!

Mahalo for helping care for this important part of Hawaiʻi’s history.

Sign up for Target Circle and start voting today.

On May 26, 1977, the installation of the Throne Room carpet reproduction was completed.Before it could be recreated and ...
05/26/2026

On May 26, 1977, the installation of the Throne Room carpet reproduction was completed.

Before it could be recreated and installed, extensive research was needed. At the time, the Palace team had black and white photographs, written descriptions, and access to a center piece of the original carpet from the Bishop Museum collection.

In the black and white image, a border is visible, but the design is difficult to make out. Luckily, a member of The Friends of ʻIolani Palace found a piece of the carpet with the border while visiting the Washington State Historical Society Museum! The museum later transferred that carpet fragment and 3 drapery tiebacks to The Friends. This was the key to recreating the Throne Room carpet.

Pictured: First photo - The Throne Room before 1887. Second photo - The restored Throne Room today.

Wear the flora and fauna of Hawaiʻi with the latest arrivals from David Shepard! Each piece features hand-drawn illustra...
05/25/2026

Wear the flora and fauna of Hawaiʻi with the latest arrivals from David Shepard! Each piece features hand-drawn illustrations printed on natural fiber fabrics.

Find aloha shirts, dresses and bags at the Palace Shop, where every purchase helps the preservation of ʻIolani Palace.

The Palace Shop is open to the public from Tuesday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Volunteer Spotlight: Isaac SagarioIsaac Sagario is another one of our dedicated volunteers who has contributed countless...
05/24/2026

Volunteer Spotlight: Isaac Sagario

Isaac Sagario is another one of our dedicated volunteers who has contributed countless hours across three decades of service to The Friends of ʻIolani Palace.

After retiring from a 30-year career in public service, Isaac found new purpose as a volunteer docent at ʻIolani Palace. His connection to the Palace is both personal and cultural. His maternal great-grandfather signed the 1897 Kūʻē Petitions opposing annexation, a legacy that strengthens his commitment to honoring Hawaiʻi’s aliʻi and sharing the Palace’s history.

Isaac is passionate about engaging with both residents and visitors, serving as a voice for his kūpuna and helping others understand the significance of this cultural landmark. He describes volunteering at ʻIolani Palace as a true privilege, an opportunity to preserve history, honor Hawaiʻi’s last monarchs and make a meaningful impact in the community.

Mahalo, Isaac!

On May 23, 1842, Lydia Pākī, later known as Liliʻuokalani, entered the Chiefs Children’s School at age 4.In 1837, Kameha...
05/23/2026

On May 23, 1842, Lydia Pākī, later known as Liliʻuokalani, entered the Chiefs Children’s School at age 4.

In 1837, Kamehameha III and the Chiefs petitioned the Protestant Mission for a teacher. Amos Starr Cooke and his wife, Juliette Montague Cooke, were asked to establish a boarding school for the children of Hawaiʻis highest-ranking families. The school opened in June 1839.

Among the royals attending during the decade the school was open were Lot Kamehameha (Kamehameha V), Alexander Liholiho (Kamehameha IV), William Charles Lunalilo, Bernice Pauahi P**i (Mrs. Charles R. Bishop), Emma Rooke (Queen Emma), David Kalākaua, and others.

Liliʻuokalani later wrote in her autobiography, “…known as the Royal School, because its pupils were exclusively persons whose claims to the throne were acknowledged.” She also recalled that although family life was made agreeable and students were taught in English with care, there were times when the children were said to be hungry.

By 1848, enrollment had dropped, the Cookes had resigned and the school became part of the Kingdom’s public school system.

Liliʻuokalani continued her education at a day school run by Rev. Beckwith.
please date the photo of the haumana on the steps

On May 22, 1881, Kalākaua arrived in Rangoon, present-day Yangon in Myanmar, after visiting Malacca, Penang and Moulmein...
05/23/2026

On May 22, 1881, Kalākaua arrived in Rangoon, present-day Yangon in Myanmar, after visiting Malacca, Penang and Moulmein as part of his world tour.

The Rangoon Gazette noted, “He is of an amiable, genial and social disposition… It is a step of a man of broad mind to travel as the present King is doing, and he will not fail to learn during his travels much which he can turn to his advantage on his return.”

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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