by Pamela Kay

Created on: May 11, 2009   Last Updated: June 02, 2009

To visit the, four-story Italian Renaissance, Iolani Palace Museum in Honolulu, Hawaii is to step back in time to when Hawaii was an independent kingdom ruled by Royal Monarchs. Though the Royal Hawaiian Monarchy ruled from here for only 11 brief years, until it fell forever in 1893, the history found within these walls tells a moving sometimes tragic tale of a way of life that is forever gone.

One of 2500 National Landmarks, the Iolani Palace was built by King Kalakaua, a descendant of a Kona chief who fought along side of King Kamehameha who brought unity to the Hawaiian Islands as a kingdom. Iolani Palace sits on the site of Kamehameha's home and is still considered a sacred place to many Hawaiians.

No expense was spared in the construction of the Palace and the cost nearly bankrupted the kingdom. Fabulous imported materials such as ebony, mahogany, redwood, cedar, plate and etched sheet glass and slate roofing give a glimpse into the sophisticated, elegant, and expensive taste of those who once ruled this tropical paradise.

From the moment, you enter the Grand Hallway your eyes will feast on the meticulously restored rooms that have much of the original furniture and decorating objects that have been recovered by the Friends of Iolani Palace group, though many large pieces are still missing and are being actively sought.

The Grand Hall runs the length of the house and ends at a wide staircase that leads to the private suites of the King and Queen and the guest rooms. The hall leads into to the crimson and gold Throne Room where King Kalakaua held audiences and welcomed guests and diplomats from around the world, The Blue Room used for smaller audiences and The State Dining Room.

Upstairs, the Queen's suite consists of three bedrooms and the King's suite of one bedroom and a library. There is a music room used for family gathering where they composed and sang songs. Two additional guest bedrooms each have a sitting room in the towers of the palace.

Both the first and second floors are encircled with columned walkways that take advantage of the Trade Winds and offer a wonderful view of the gardens. The Palace was once surrounded by an 8-foot coral block wall that was lowered to a little over 3-foot after the Wilcox Rebellion and has since had and iron fence added to the top of it.

Some of the Palace's history includes Queen Liliuokalani being held prisoner here after she was deposed and until she abdicated her throne, to commute the sentence of those who had conspired with her to return the rule of Hawaii to the Royal Family, and sadly retired to her private home where she died at the age of 79.

The Gallery Tour offers a chance to visit the basement of the Palace and view many artifacts such as the Crown Jewels, historic clothing, photos and portraits as well as other ancient Hawaiian Regalia.

Located in downtown Honolulu, the Iolani Palace Museum offers three types of tours and is open to the public Tuesday-Saturday from 9 AM until 5 PM. The Iolani Palace serves, as a reminder that Hawaii has an ancient and illustrious past and that not so long ago Hawaii was an independent kingdom, ruled by Kings and Queens.

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