Review of Iolani Palace
America has always been fascinated with royalty. Whether Princess Grace of Monaco, Princess Diana of England, or King Hussein of Jordan, we've read their stories, watched their visits, and wondered what it would be like to be royalty. With the addition of Hawaii as a state in 1959, the U.S. has its own royalty history with kings and queens who ruled the island kingdom. Two monarchs, King David Kalakaua and Queen Lili'uokalani lived in Iolani Palace until the monarchy was overthrown in 1893.
The first Iolani Palace which was fairly modest was inhabited by King Kamehameha V and demolished in 1874. The new king, Monarch King David Kalakaua, the first king to visit the U.S. and to circumnavigate the globe, was known as a great patron of the arts and a wonderful host. So when he began construction of the new Iolani Palace in 1879, he wanted a home that would represent the grandeur of Hawaii's past and the rich architecture of Europe.
Kalakaua spared no expense in its construction (over $360,000) and nearly bankrupt the government in the three year building process. He imported expensive woods like ebony, mahogany, and redwood, slate for the roof, and installed every modern convenience indoor, plumbing, electric lights, and telephones. The palace was considered the Chateau de Versailles of Hawaii and became the political and social center of the sovereign island nation. Unfortunately, the king only ruled for 11 years until 1893. After that, the building was used as the capitol building for the Provisional Government, then the Republic, then the Territory, and finally the State of Hawaii until 1969. In 1978, the palace was opened to the public as a museum.
If you visit Iolani Palace today, you'll see its fine architecture known as American Florentine. On the first floor, there is a magnificent staircase of koa wood. The staircase faces the Grand Hall, The Throne Room, the Blue Meeting Room, and the Dining Room. The private bedrooms and library of the Hawaiian monarchs are upstairs. Also upstairs is the small room where Queen Lili uokalani was imprisoned after the second Wilcox rebellion. A quilt she made is still there. In the basement, there are displays of photographs of the palace, the Hawaiian crown jewels, and other regalia worn by the high chiefs of the islands.
On January 17, 1993, the Iolani Palace was the site of a massive observation marking the 100th anniversary of the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarch. In April of 2008, the palace was briefly taken over by a group of native Hawaiians protesting what they said was the illegitimate rule of the United States. In turn, the Iolani Palace released a statement saying they respected the freedom of Hawaiians to disagree with the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom, but that blocking access to the palace was detrimental to the palace's mission to be open to the public and to preserve Hawaiian history.
The Iolani Palace was featured in the TV series, Hawaii Five-O as the headquarters of the state police. The palace also plays a major role in the Harry Turtledove books: Days of Infamy and End of the Beginning.
The Palace is open for individual self-guided and group tours from Tuesday through Saturday. A docent-led tour is $20; a self-guided tour audio tour is $13; and a self-guided gallery tour in the basement is $6.
Occasionally, tea parties reminiscent of the pomp and pageantry of King Kalakaua and Queen Kapi'olani are held on the lawn. The grounds are transformed into a Victorian garden party as a fund raiser by the Friends of Iolani Palace. Guests are encouraged to wear Victorian and Edwardian garb especially Hawaiian tea gowns in white. Big hats topped with live flowers complete the costumes. At sunset, lantern light casts a romantic glow for the Victorian dinner served under canopies, followed by dancing under the stars. Oh if only King Kalakaua could be there to attend but perhaps he is in spirit.