iolani palace free tour

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Iolani Palace

Waikiki & honolulu oahu.

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‘Iolani Palace is a magnificent mansion that preserves an important part of Hawaiian history.  The Palace is well worth visiting when in  Honolulu , and is one of the main structures to see on the Honolulu Historic District Walk. 

‘Iolani Palace was the official residence of the reigning Hawaiian sovereign, King Kamehameha, and the only royal palace in the United States.   The cornerstone was laid on December 31, 1879.  The Hawaiian government at the time had appropriated funds to build the Palace as a way to mark Hawaii’s status as a modern nation.  The building was complete by August 1882, and that original palace was known as Hale Ali’I (House of the Chief), however that was demolished in 1874 to make way for the palace that stands today, which was renamed ‘Iolani Palace.  ‘Iolani means ‘Royal Hawk’ in the Hawaiian language.  

Top image by:  Allen.G (Shutterstock).

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Two monarchs governed from the Palace: King Kalakaua and Queen Lili’uokalani, and Kamehameha III, IV and V utilized the palace as their main residence.  The monarchy was overthrown by the U.S. in 1893, was then used as a capitol building, and was finally restored and opened as a public museum in 1978.  Apparently the area was once the site of an ancient heiau (Hawaiian Temple) that was destroyed.

King Kamehameha statue, which is found across the street

In 1825, a white-washed coral block was constructed as a royal tomb for the remains of Kamehameha II and his wife, Queen Kamamalu.  In subsequent years, many kings of Hawaii were buried at the site, but in 1865 eighteen coffins were removed and transferred to a Royal Mausoleum in Nuuanu Valley.  Today, the royal tomb area is located in the southeast quadrant of the grounds.  With respect for Hawaiian chiefs who may still be buried there, it is marked by a fenced area with ‘kapu’ signs indicating it is a forbidden area.

Also on the Palace Grounds is Iolani Barracks, which looks like a medieval castle, was completed in 1871 and is also a coral block structure that contains an open courtyard which is surrounded by rooms that once housed the royal palace and royal tomb guards, before the overthrow of the Hawaiian Monarchy.  The Barracks were originally located on the grounds that the Hawaii State Capitol Building sits and was moved block by block and reconstructed in 1965 to be where it is now on the Iolani Palace grounds, where it houses the ticket office and the Palace Gift Shop (open Tues-Sat 8.30am-4.30pm).

The first and second floors of 'Iolani Palace have been meticulously restored and house the stunning Throne Room, Grand Hall, The State Dining Room, the Blue Room, as well as the private suites of the King and Queen.  Portraits of Hawaiian Royalty line the walls.  Lush crimson and gold décor fill the Throne Room and beautifully carved doors featuring Hawaiian woods abound.

COVID HEALTH NOTICE

Effective September 13, 2021, proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test result will be required to visit Iolani Palace in accordance with the City & County of Honolulu Safe Access Oahu program.

Tour options vary based on the day of the week and the time.

Tour Options & Schedule

There is currently a choice of two tour options at ‘Iolani Palace, located in Downtown Honolulu: either a Guided Tour ($30.00) or a Self-Led Audio Tour ($25.00).  Approximately 90 minutes is required for either tour, and both options include a tour of the first and second floors of Iolani Palace followed by a self-guided exploration of the basement gallery exhibits.

The ticket office is located in the ‘Iolani Barracks on the Palace grounds and can be contacted at 808-522-0832. You will need to  book online .

Ticket sales are online only. No walk-ups. The ticket window in Hale Koa (the Barracks building adjacent to Iolani Palace) will open for ticket distribution at 8:30 a.m. Groups are limited to 15 guests per entry time.

Docent-Led Tours are available on  Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  and  Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Self-Led Audio Tours are available on the following days and times: 

• Tuesdays | 9:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Wednesdays | 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
• Fridays | 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Saturdays | 9 a.m. to 4 p.m  

For a step back in time and to learn all about the Hawaiian Monarch, ‘Iolani Palace is really worth visiting.

King Kalakaua lived from 1836 until 1891

Iolani Palace Reviews

Guidereview:, iolani palace photo gallery.

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Iolani Palace offers free day for Hawaii residents

HONOLULU — The Iolani Palace is bringing back Kamaaina Sundays, a once-a-month event where Hawaii residents can tour the palace for free. 

The special day includes live entertainment, family-friendly activities and food vendors, and a free tour for Hawaii residents. 

The event was temporarily discontinued three years ago at the beginning of the pandemic. 

The first Kamaaina Sunday is this Sunday, March 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The theme is kalo and will include performances by Kuana Torres Kahele, the Royal Band and a hula halau. 

Any adult with a Hawaii ID, driver’s license or proof of residency may get four free tickets. Visitors may purchase tickets at the regular price.

Michelle Broder Van Dyke  covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at  [email protected] .

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Iolani palace, honolulu, hawai'i.

Photo by D. Ramey Logan, 2011. CC BY SA 3.0 (Wikimedia)

'Iolani Palace in downtown Honolulu on the Island of Oahu is the only royal palace in the United States and is an enduring symbol of Hawaiian independence. It was the official residence and capitol of the last ruling monarchs of the Kingdom of Hawai'i - King Kalakaua and his sister Queen Lili'uokalani. After the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawai'i in 1893, the building was used as the capitol for the various Hawaiian governments.

The current 'Iolani Palace was actually the second royal residence on the site. The first, a plantation-style coral block and wood house also called 'Iolani Palace, was selected by King Kamehameha III as his palace when he moved the royal residence from Lahaina, on Maui, to Honolulu in 1845. The building was used mainly for government offices, since smaller buildings on the grounds served as residences for Hawaii's kings. When Kalakaua came to the throne in 1874, the coral block building was in disrepair, so he had it torn down and commissioned a palace modeled after the grand palaces he had seen while on a trip to Europe.

Begun in 1879, 'Iolani Palace was designed in a unique style referred to as "American Florentine." This style is characterized by features found in Italian Renaissance architecture, but with the addition of elements characteristic of Hawaiian architecture. 'Iolani Palace is the only building in the world constructed in the American Florentine style. Three different architects – Thomas J. Baker, Charles J. Wall, and Isaac Moore – worked on the palace with Baker's designs being the ones that were primarily used for the building. The large palace was built of brick with concrete facing and had four corner towers and two center towers with double lanais (roofed, open-sided verandas) encircling the building on the first and second floors. Considered one of the finest palaces in the world at the time, 'Iolani Palace had indoor plumbing, electric lighting, and an early telephone, as well as elaborate decorations and furnishings. The palace was both the monarch's official residence and the capitol, where the official business of the kingdom took place and dignitaries were received and entertained. The first floor contained public reception areas such as the State Dining Room, Blue Room, and the Throne Room while the second floor was made up of private suites and rooms used by the monarchs.

King Kalakaua and Queen Kapi‘olani moved into their new palace in 1882 and it served as the official residence of the Hawaiian monarch until the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawai'i. King Kalakaua passed away in 1891, and his sister and heir Lili'uokalani became the sovereign ruler of the Hawaiian Kingdom. As Queen, Lili'uokalani proposed a new Constitution that would return more authority to the monarchy and to the Indigenous people of Hawai’i. She wanted to replace a Constitution passed in 1887, which had given considerable power to the Euro-American dominated legislature. Her proposal followed on the heels of passage by the U.S. Congress of the Tariff Act of 1890, which ended the favored status of sugar imported from Hawaii, raised import rates on foreign sugar, and crippled the Hawaiian sugar industry. Facing economic hardship and potential loss of power, American missionaries, business entrepreneurs, and European and American politicians began to seriously consider the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy and annexation of the islands by the U.S. If the Hawaiian Islands became a U.S. territory, Hawaiian sugar producers would be provided with the same economic and monetary benefits as those enjoyed by U.S. domestic producers. In 1893, a group of European and American citizens and native-born subjects of the Kingdom of Hawai'i staged a coup d'état to overthrow the monarchy. Backed by the U.S. government and with the aid of the U.S. military they were successful and the Queen was forced to yield her authority. While her rule was short, Lili'uokalani’s reign was significant in that she served as Hawaii's first and last queen.  

In 1895, Queen Lili'uokalani, who had been made to give up her throne and was living at her personal residence, Washington Place , was arrested and tried for purportedly aiding in the short-lived attempt to restore the monarchy, which was known as the "1895 Counter-Revolution in Hawaii." At her trial, which took place in the Throne Room at 'Iolani Palace, she denied having any knowledge of the Counter-Revolution, but nonetheless was found guilty, fined $5,000 dollars, and sentenced to five years hard labor. The sentence was commuted and she was placed under house arrest at 'Iolani Palace. She was made to live in one bedroom on the second floor and was allowed one lady-in-waiting during the day, but no visitors. After a year she was allowed to return to Washington Place.

After the overthrow of the monarchy, 'Iolani Palace became the Executive Building for the new provisional government which inventoried the buildings contents, returned private property, and auctioned off whatever furniture deemed unsuitable for government use. 'Iolani Palace was the government headquarters for the Provisional Government (1893-1894), Republic of Hawaii (1894-1898), Territory of Hawaii (1898-1959), and the State of Hawaii. During World War II, it served as the temporary headquarters for the military governor of the islands.

In the 1960s after years of neglect, the Palace had fallen into disrepair. In 1969, the State government moved to a newly constructed capitol building adjacent to the Palace grounds and, after 87 years of continuous use, 'Iolani Palace ceased to be the capitol of the Hawaiian Islands. The Friends of 'Iolani Palace oversaw an extensive restoration of the building in the 1970's, bringing the palace back to its 19th century splendor based on research conducted and funded by the Junior League of Honolulu. When the restoration was complete in 1978, 'Iolani Palace was opened to the public as a museum.

The grounds around the Palace are thought to have been the site of an ancient heiau (place of worship). Today, they contain lovely native plants as well as several structures including The Coronation Pavilion, built for the 1883 coronation of King Kalakaua and Queen Kapiolani; The Royal Tomb built in 1825 and used for forty years to house the remains of Hawaii's monarchs, consorts, and important ali'i (chiefs); The Kanaina (Old Archive) Building, built in 1906 as the first building in the U.S. intended solely for the custody and preservation of public archive materials; and the 'Iolani Barracks, completed in 1871 to house the Royal Guard. The barracks have been used at various times as temporary shelter for refugees of the 1899 Chinatown fire, a service club, a headquarters for the National Guard of Hawaii, a government office building, and a storage facility.

Today, the first and second floors of the palace are fully restored and open to the public. The Grand Hall, State Dining Room, reception rooms, and the Throne Room are on the first floor and the Grand Hall features a large koa wood staircase and portraits of the 10 Hawaiian kings and queens. The royal family used the Throne Room for formal events and diplomatic receptions and it was also the site of Queen Lili'uokalani's trial. On the second floor are the King's and Queen's suites, the Music Room, and the room where Queen Lili'uokalani stayed while under house arrest. Visitors also have access to the basement gallery exhibits, with artifacts such as the Hawaiian crown jewels, historic photographs, and an exhibit about the restoration project as well as the restored Kitchen and Chamberlain's Office.

Iolani Palace Information

Property Name: Iolani Palace

Reference Number: 66000293

State: Hawai'i

County: Honolulu

City: Honolulu

Street Address: 364 South King Street

Multiple Property Submission Name: N/A

Status Listed: 10/15/1966  NHL Designated: 12/29/1962

Link to National Register Nomination

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation's historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America's historic and archeological resources.

National Register of Historic Places

National Historic Landmarks

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Last updated: August 16, 2019

10 Reasons to Visit Iolani Palace on Oahu

Hawaii Aloha Travel > Blog > 10 Reasons to Visit Iolani Palace on Oahu

Iolani Palace is a beautiful attraction in Honolulu, and visiting can change your entire outlook on Hawaiian history and culture. But it can be tempting to skip it since there are so many things to see and do on Oahu. After all, you may wonder if it’s worth stepping off the beach and exploring some of the island’s museums. 

We say absolutely! In fact, learning about Hawaiian and Polynesian culture is essential for appreciating your time in the islands. And a great place to start is Iolani Palace.

Here are the top 10 reasons to visit Iolani Palace, along with a few tips to make your time there truly worthwhile. 

#1 – Iolani Palace is the Only Official Royal Residence in the United States

America may be known for resisting monarchies, but there is one place that was once ruled by royalty: Hawaii. In 1810, Kamehameha I united all of Hawaii under his rule, creating a monarchy that lasted for 80 years. 

Construction of Iolani Palace was completed in 1882, and it then became the home of King Kalakaua and later his sister, Queen Liliuokalani. Just over 10 years later, in 1893, the monarchy was overthrown. After that, Iolani Palace served as the government capitol building until 1969. 

Now, the palace has been restored to its original grandeur to showcase the opulence and innovation of the Hawaiian kingdom. 

#2 – You can Better Understand Hawaiian Identity

Many people visit Hawaii without knowing what it means to be Hawaiian . Iolani Palace serves as a place to honor and celebrate Hawaiian identity. Visitors can better understand Hawaiian as a race, identity, and culture. 

Artifacts include photos, furniture, documents, military items, and artwork. Walking through it and seeing everything in person allowed me to really immerse myself in this monumental era in Hawaiian history. 

#3 – Hear the Royal Hawaiian Band (On Fridays!)

This will be music to your ears! The Royal Hawaiian Band plays at Iolani Palace every Friday. 

King Kamehameha III created the Royal Hawaiian Band in 1836. They played at official royal occasions, funerals, and parades. They also were known for traveling throughout the islands, bringing their music to areas throughout the Hawaiian Kingdom. 

Today, the Royal Hawaiian Band continues to provide polished, creative performances in Hawaii and beyond. 

They perform outside the palace on the lawn, so you don’t need a ticket to the palace to enjoy their music. However, you definitely should still see the full museum to appreciate the band’s significance. 

#4 – They Offer Great Docent-Led Tours

Iolani Palace offers two primary options: self-guided audio tours, and docent-guided tours. If you’re able to visit on Wednesday, Thursday, or Saturday, then a docent-led tour is certainly worth the few extra bucks. You’ll be able to hear amazing stories and ask questions as your knowledgeable guide takes you through the palace. 

#5 – Specialty Tours Allow for Incredible Insight into History

Beyond the regular docent-led and self-guided audio tours, Iolani Palace also offers a range of specialty tours. These programs provide a deep dive into specific aspects of royal Hawaiian history. Past and present specialty tours include Hawaii-Japan relations, royal fashion, and a behind-the-scenes white-glove tour. 

#6 – Kamaaina Are Free Once a Month

Are you a Hawaii resident with a state ID? If so, you can tour Iolani Palace for free during their Kamaaina Sunday. The monthly event features entertainment and food vendors, creating a great experience the entire family can enjoy. 

Self-guided audio tours allow kamaaina to walk through history as they see close-up artifacts of Hawaii’s monarchy. 

#7 – See Where Queen Liliuokalani was Imprisoned

One of the biggest turning points in Hawaiian history was when the new provisional Hawaiian government imprisoned Queen Liliuokalani. Her 1895 trial took place in Iolani’s throne room, and she served an eight-month sentence inside the palace. 

Today, you can walk through these pivotal moments as you tour Iolani Palace, seeing the sight of her trial and the room where she served her time. Inside Iolani Palace’s imprisonment room is a quilt the overthrown queen worked on while under house arrest. 

Though Queen Liliuokalani’s arrest was the most notable during the overthrow and counter-revolution, many of her supporters were sentenced to death for treason. 

#8 – Iolani Palace is One of the Most Haunted Places on Oahu

Many Honolulu ghost tours will take you by Iolani Palace. The site was once a royal burial ground, and visitors with royal bloodline have reported hearing chanting or music inside the palace. 

One ghost tour guide even reported seeing a woman’s silhouette in the window of Queen Liliuokalani’s imprisonment room . The sighting occurred late at night, when no living souls would be inside the palace. 

Even the trees outside are said to be haunted – many believe that banyan trees, like the two in front of Iolani Palace – hold lost spirits. 

A docent may be able to provide even more accounts of paranormal activity at the palace. 

#9 – It’s Located Right in Honolulu

Iolani Palace is worth driving across the island to visit. After all, you’ll be able to take a break from the sun and surf while learning about this incredible time in Hawaiian history. But for anyone staying in Honolulu or Waikiki, it’s incredibly convenient to visit Iolani Palace. 

This historical landmark is located in downtown Honolulu. There is limited paid parking onsite, along with street and garage parking nearby. 

#10 – There are Other Great Landmarks Nearby

Iolani Palace is just part of a great day exploring Honolulu’s many landmarks and attractions. One of the best ways to follow up your tour of the palace is by visiting Washington Palace, where Queen Liliuokalani lived most of her life, including the time before and after residing at Iolani Palace. 

Right across the street from Iolani Palace, you’ll find historic Aliʻiolani Hale, home of Hawaii’s Supreme Court for over 150 years. It also has a striking King Kamehameha Statue and is a popular spot when touring places where Hawaii Five-0 was filmed , since it provided exterior shots of the fictional headquarters. 

You’ll also be near the Eternal Flame Memorial, which honors the heroes of the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. 

Tips for Visiting Iolani Palace

Ready to explore Iolani Palace yourself? Here are our top tips for making the most of your visit!

Opt for a Docent-led Tour if Possible

We mentioned their great docent tours above, but it’s worth mentioning again. You really get an incredible experience for a small price difference, as the docents can provide unbeatable insight and answer questions during the tour. 

Be Mindful of Your Children

Palace staff do welcome children, but they are strict about making sure they’re not running around. You must keep children under five in your arms, in a carrier, in a palace-provided stroller, or holding your hand. And staff will ask you to leave if your child is disruptive or disorderly. 

So definitely bring along the keiki (kids) if you can manage them. But if you worry they’ll still be on beach-day mode, consider skipping this attraction until they’re a little older. 

Reserve Your Iolani Palace Tour Online

Whether you opt for a self-guided or docent-led tour, be sure to reserve your time online in advance. The palace doesn’t accept any walk-up visits. 

Go Beyond the Tour

Audio and docent-led tours of Iolani Palace take you through the main two levels, where you’ll find luxurious rooms and offices. But you’ll also be able to explore even more of the palace: the basement and the grounds. 

Outside, you’ll find the queen’s coronation pavilion, royal barracks, and the former site of the Royal Mausoleum. Inside, head to the basement, where you’ll find photographs and other exhibits. 

Of course, obey all signage, as some areas are restricted. 

And don’t forget to check out the gift shop – it’s a great place to buy souvenirs, books, and local crafts. 

Iolani Palace and Other Historical Treasures

We always encourage Hawaii visitors to explore the islands’ many historical and cultural sites. Your vacation will be more enjoyable and enriching as you understand the area you’re visiting.  Need help planning a well-rounded Hawaii vacation? Let our team of locally-based Hawaii travel agents help! Whether you’re visiting Oahu (complete with a trip to Iolani Palace) or one of the other islands, we can assist with airfare, hotels, itineraries, and advice!

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Iolani Palace

• Post author By Aloha Hawaii
• Post date November 1, 2009

In the middle of  downtown Honolulu sits Iolani Palace, the only royal building in the United States. The Palace is an ever-present reminder of the royal heritage of the Hawaiian Islands.

Built-in 1882 by King David Kalakaua and his wife Queen Kapiolani, the palace had electricity and telephones even before the White House. King Kalakaua found inspiration for the design of the palace during his European travels. Indeed, with its high ramparts and commanding presence, one can see in Iolani Palace the influence of European castles. Yet, certain features attest to the fact that the palace was built in a place where the climate invites one outdoors. Walkways encircle the exterior on both the first and second floors, and lanais offer splendid views of the palace grounds.

In January of 1895, Queen Liliuokalani , the last reigning monarch of Hawaii, was imprisoned in the palace during the overthrow of her government. Some say you can still hear the Queen pacing back-and-forth in the room where she was held captive. The palace then served as the capital of the territory when Hawai’i was annexed to the United States, in 1959. In 1969, restoration began, and today the palace is a museum to the era.

Iolani Palace offers 2 tours: a docent-guided tour, and a self-guided audio tour (in addition to the tours a basement gallery only admission is available). Both tours visit the first and second floors of the Palace followed by self-guided exploration of the basement gallery exhibits. Allow approximately 90 minutes for either tour. Tour options vary based on the day of the week and time, so make sure to check out their current hours and admission .

Tip: Free tours for Kamaiana are generally available on the first Sunday of every month.

For the docent-guided tour, reservations are recommended ( contact the ticket office to book a tour time). Tours are available every 15 minutes. Japanese language tours are given at 11:30 am Monday-Saturday. Guided tours in Mandarin Chinese or American Sign Language can be pre-arranged.

In addition to the tours, a free introductory video “A King’s Noble Vision” is shown every half-hour in the Iolani Barracks.

Aloha Tower is part of our self guided  Honolulu walking tour

The Palace is open from Monday through Saturday, with hours varying depending upon the type of tour you take. The Palace is closed on Sunday except for noted Kama’aina Sundays.  It is also closed on the following holidays: New Year’s Day (January 1st), Independence Day (July 4th), Thanksgiving Day (November 25th), and Christmas Day (December 25th).

• Tags attractions , family , guidebook , history , honolulu , museum , oahu , things to do , walking

• Things to do in Hawaii

Iolani Palace

Located in downtown Honolulu, the Iolani Palace is a national historic landmark and was once the royal residence of the rulers of Hawaii. The Iolani Palace was the official residence of King Kalakaua and his sister, Queen Liliuokalani the last reigning queen on the Hawaiian Monarchy. Experience Hawaiian royalty with a trip by yourself or an Iolani Palace tour .

Built in 1882, Iolani palace was heavily influenced by European architectural styles, and was the first royal residence in Hawaii to have electric lights, indoor plumbing, and telephones. Later when Hawaii was made the 50th state, it was used as the capitol building.

Today the Iolani Palace is open to the public. Both professional guided tours and self-guided audio tours are available to the palace Tuesdays through Saturdays. About half of the original furnishings have been restored to the Iolani Palace to give it the authentic look of its royal heyday.

The Iolani Palace is also available as a venue for private events like weddings and special occasions.

Other nearby landmarks in Honolulu include the King Kamehameha Statue, Hawaii State Art Museum, Kawaiahao Church, Punchbowl Crater, Honolulu Chinatown, and Honolulu Academy of Arts.

Tips for Going to the Iolani Palace

• Self-guided audio tours of the first and second floors take about 45 minutes and are available in English, French, Spanish, German, Hawaiian, Mandarin, Japanese, and Korean.
• A shorter tour alternative of Basement Gallery Exhibit is available and lasts around 30 minutes.
• Selfie sticks, tripods, flash photography, and video cameras are not allowed inside the Iolani Palace.
• Make a day of your trip and combine your Iolani Palace tour with a trip to Honolulu Chinatown or the Honolulu Academy of Arts.

Why Choose IMI Tours

Our quality starts with the intent to be a completely non-invasive tour company dedicated to revealing the real truths and history of the land and people of our home, Hawai’i. We use smaller vehicles for all of our Hawaii tours to provide a more intimate, relaxing, and safer travel experience. Our passionate, local employees welcome you to our beautiful state of Hawaii and take you back in time to experience the Kingdom Hawai’i once was. Safety and dependability is developed through continuous training and are the cornerstones of our tour service.

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Iolani Palace

Built in 1822. Iolani Palace was and continues to be the only official royal residence in the United States. This Renaissance-style mansion was once the official residence of Hawaii’s last reigning monarchs, King Kalakaua and Queen Lilíuokalani. Painstakingly restored, the Palace today is a monument to the Hawaiian monarchy’s grandeur. Complimentary access is provided to Halekulani guests.

*Complimentary access is for the self led tours only (Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.) Please see Concierge for scheduling.

Join Us At The Palace

RESERVATIONS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Walk-ins are based on availability.

Face masks are optional for all guests while indoors.

Various tours are currently offered Tuesday through Saturday.

Book A Tour

Members of The Friends of ʻIolani Palace : To reserve your complimentary tour ticket(s), please call Reservations at 808-522-0832 or email [email protected] .

Virtual Experiences & Resources

Explore the Palace from a new perspective through our various digital resources.

Online Resources

Various tours options are currently offered Tuesday through Saturday.

Hours of Operation

Visit ʻIolani Palace with our two popular tour options: a guided tour with a Palace Docent and a Self-Led Audio Tour. Both options include a tour of the first and second floors of ʻIolani Palace followed by a self-guided exploration of the basement gallery exhibits. Explore more with our specialty tours, such as Hawaii's Royal Connection to Japan and Chamberlain's Tour .

Learn More About Tours

Kamaʻāina Sundays

Once a month, the Palace offers complimentary tickets to kamaʻāina guests. Local visitors may choose from the Guided Tour or Self-Led Audio Tour.

Getting Here

ʻIolani Palace is located in downtown Honolulu, a short drive or bus ride from Waikīkī.

Address: 364 South King Street Honolulu, HI 96813

Directions & Parking

Palace Shop

Shop online or visit our store located in the Hale Koa Barracks building (next to the Palace).

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOUR VISIT

As ʻIolani Palace is a sacred place, we kindly ask guests to be dressed in a manner that is respectful of its cultural and historical significance.

• Shirts and footwear are required; you will also be asked to wear shoe coverings provided by the Palace.
• Bathing suits and beachwear (including beach coverups) are inappropriate attire and not permitted.
• Clothing displaying profanity is not allowed.

Photography

We encourage Palace visitors to take selfies and share their experiences and are welcome to take photos of the ʻIolani Palace interior, exterior, and grounds for personal use. The following are not permitted:

• Flash photography
• Videotaping
• Audio recording
• Tripods/monopods or selfie sticks
• Extended lenses

Commercial photography is strictly prohibited without prior written permission from ʻIolani Palace and the Hawaiʻi State Film Office.

Children under 5-years-old are free and must be in a front-held infant/child carrier, safely strapped in a stroller provided by ʻIolani Palace, or holding the hand of an accompanying adult at all times. Personal strollers are not permitted inside the Palace; there is no charge to use a Palace stroller. If the child is being disruptive, Palace personnel will ask that the child be taken outside.

Please respect all roped off areas and obey all posted signs placed throughout the interior and exterior of ʻIolani Palace.

Personal Belongings

The following are not allowed inside ʻIolani Palace:

• Food and beverages

Service Animals

Service animals are permitted on the premises. We ask that you notify the reservations office and/or the cashiers before entering ʻIolani Palace.

Your ticket for the: Visit

Walking Tour of Historic Honolulu

'iolani palace.

TripSavvy / Taylor McIntyre 

An excellent place to begin a walking tour of historic Honolulu is at the ʻIolani Palace. ʻIolani Palace was the official residence of the Hawaiian Kingdom's last two monarchs - King Kalakaua, who built the Palace in 1882, and his sister and successor, Queen Liliʻuokalani.

The ʻIolani Palace in Honolulu is the only royal palace located in the United States.

Neglected after the overthrow of the monarchy, restoration began in the 1970s through efforts of many concerned individuals. Restoration and preservation continues, and, as a result, today's visitors to the palace can enjoy an ongoing historic restoration and learn much about Hawaiian history and culture.

Tickets for all tours are obtained at the nearby ʻIolani Barracks.

ʻIolani Palace is located in the Capitol District of downtown Honolulu at the corner of King and Richards Streets at 364 South King Street, Honolulu. There is limited metered parking on the grounds and on nearby streets.

Parking is also available at numerous lots downtown and at the Aloha Tower Marketplace . The best was to reach downtown from Waikiki is on The Bus, Oʻahu's public transportation system.

A docent-guided tour costs $27 for an adult. Children/Youth (5-12) pay $6. No children under 5 are admitted. Tours are offered every 15 minutes Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m., and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

A 60 minute self-guided, pre-recorded audio costs $20 for an adult. Children/Youth (5-12) pay $6. These tours are available on Mondays from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 pm, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m, and Fridays from 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

'Iolani Barracks

On the northwest lawn of the ʻIolani Palace grounds sits the castle-like ʻIolani Barracks.

ʻIolani Barracks was originally built in 1870-71 on the land where the Hawaii State Capitol building now sits. It was designed to house the royal palace and royal tomb guards.

German architect Theodore Hececk designed the Barracks as well as the new Royal Mausoleum in Nuʻuanu Valley off of the Pali Highway. The building is made of coral blocks and intended to look like a medieval castle.

When constructed ʻIolani Barracks contained a kitchen, mess hall, dispensary, living quarters and prison lockup. Following the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893, the Royal Guard was disbanded.

ʻIolani Barracks was then used for different purposes at different times, including use as headquarters for the National Guard of Hawaii , a temporary shelter for refugees of the 1899 Chinatown fire, a government office building, and even a storage facility.

When plans were completed to construct the State Capitol Building, it was decided to move the Barracks to its present location on the grounds of ʻIolani Palace. The building was dismantled block by block and reconstructed in 1965.

ʻIolani Barracks now houses The Palace Gift Shop, ticket office, video theatre, and membership office. The Palace Gift Shop is open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Coronation Stand and Pavilion

The large gazebo located on the southwest lawn of the ʻIolani Palace grounds is the Coronation Stand or Coronation Pavilion. It was built for the February 12, 1883 coronation of King Kalākaua and Queen Kapiʻolani. It was moved to this location from its original site near the King Street steps of ʻIolani Palace.

The Royal Hawaiian Band regularly gives concerts near the Coronation Pavilion. It has also been used for the inauguration of the Governors of the State of Hawaii. On many afternoons you will find Hawaiian music artists performing on the grounds nearby.

King Kamehameha I Statue

Walking towards King Street from the front of ʻIolani Palace, you will see the large statue of King Kamehameha I across the street.

King David Kalākaua commissioned a statue of Kamehameha I in 1878. At the time a kahuna (priest) is said to have commented that the statue would only feel at home if it rested in the lands of Kamehameha's birth.

Thomas Gould, an American sculptor living in Italy was commissioned to do a sculpture. He used John Baker, a part Hawaiian and friend of Kalākaua, as his model. Gould was paid $10,000 and his sculpture was sent to Paris for bronzing. It was then put on a ship bound for Hawaii, but the ship sank off the Falkland Islands. It was thought that the statue was lost forever.

With money collected from insurance a new statue was commissioned and that statue arrived in Honolulu in 1883. It stands in front of Aliʻiolani Hale, the Hawaii Supreme Court Building on King Street. It is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Honolulu. Twice a year, on May Day and for Kamehameha Day on June 11, it is adorned with leis.

Within weeks of the arrival of the new statue, the original statue also arrived in Honolulu, having been salvaged and located in a junk yard in Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands. The English captain that had found it sold it to King Kalākaua. Remembering the prophecy of the old kahuna, the original statue was send to the town of Kapaʻau, near Kamehameha's birthplace on the Big Island of Hawaii where it stands today.

Ali'iolani Hale

Sitting directly behind the statue of King Kamehameha I is a building known as Aliʻiolani Hale. Hale in Hawaiian means "house" and Aliʻiolani literally means "a chief known unto the heavens." This is a "secret" name given to King Kamehameha V at birth.

It was Kamehameha V who commissioned the construction of this building which he originally intended to be his palace. The building was completed after the death of Kamehameha V under the reign of David Kalākaua who had plans to build his own palace across the street. Kalākaua named the building Aliʻiolani Hale in honor of the late king.

Following the completion of construction in 1874, the building was used as the headquarters for the Hawaiian government and home to the Legislative Assembly and Supreme Court. It was in this building that the Provisional Government officially overthrew the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893.

Today Aliʻiolani Hale is home to Hawaii's Supreme Court and State Law Library. There is also a Judiciary History Center on the first floor.

Aliʻiolani Hale is well worth a stop. It was in one of the conference rooms of the building that several scenes from ABC's Lost was filmed such as the scene where Claire meets the prospective adoptive parents of her baby and where Michael and his wife meet with their attorneys over their divorce terms.

U.S. Post Office, Custom House, and Court House

Located to the right of Aliʻiolani Hale (as you face the building) and across Mililani Street is the U.S. Post Office/Customs House/Court House. As you may guess, the building has been used for numerous purposes since its construction was completed in 1922.

This three-story Spanish colonial revival building was initially used to house U.S. Federal Government offices and the Customs House in Hawaii. A new and larger building was built for Federal Government in the 1980's and the building was sold to the U.S. Post Office.

In 2002 the State of Hawaii reached a deal for Par Development LLC, an affiliate of Denver-based RSD Corp., to buy the building from the U.S. Postal Service for $7 million, restore it, bring the interior up to standards and then sell 120,000 square feet of the 160,000-square-foot property to the state for $32.5 million. The U.S. Postal Service then bought back the rest of the improved space for $1.

The historic building has been renamed and is now officially the King David Kalākaua Building. David Kalākaua was king from 1874 until his death in 1891 but also served as Honolulu's postmaster from 1863 until 1865.

Kawaiaha'o Church and Mission Cemetery

From the front of the King David Kalākaua Building, take a right on King Street and carefully cross busy Punchbowl Street. On the southeast corner of King and Punchbowl sits the grounds of Kawaiahaʻo Church.

As you enter the church grounds you will notice a small structure to your right surrounded by a wrought iron fence. This is the mausoleum of King William Lunalilo.

Upon the death of King Kamehameha V on December 11, 1872 there was no direct heir to the throne, so the Hawaii Legislature met to choose a new monarch. Prince William Lunalilo , a descendant of a half brother of Kamehameha I, was selected to be the new king.

Lunalilo never married and after a little over a year as king he died of consumption, leaving his estate to needy Hawaiians. There is a widely held belief that he was poisoned. Prior to his death he asked his father to bury him on the grounds of Kawaiahaʻo Church with his people rather than with the other royalty of Hawaii at the new Royal Mausoleum in Nuʻuanu.

The current church was designed by Hiram Bingham, the first missionary on Oʻahu. The church was completed in 1842 in a New England style of architecture. It is constructed of coral slabs quarried from reefs offshore of Oʻahu and carried to the site by parishioners. The interior was made from wood cut in the nearby Koʻolau Mountains. The interior was remodeled in the 1920's due to wood rot.

Kawaiahaʻo Church was dedicated in 1842. It is known as the "Mother" Protestant Church in Hawaii. Numerous members of Hawaii's royalty have worshiped in the church and the royal boxes remain at the rear of the church.

The church's name Kawaiaha'o in Hawaiian means "fresh water pool of Haʻo." Haʻo was an ancient queen of Oʻahu and it is said that on this site a spring existed in which she took ceremonial baths of purification. A reconstructed spring sits on the north side of the church.

Behind the church sits the peaceful Mission Cemetery where the remains of many of Hawaii's early missionaries, political and economic leaders are buried. The names on the gravestones are a virtual "who's who" of Hawaiian history.

Mission Houses Museum

As you exit the rear of the grounds of Kawaiahaʻo Church, cross over Kawaiahaʻo Street. The small buildings you see across the street are the Mission Houses complex and include three original structures dating back to the 1830's.

It is here where Hiram Bingham and the rest of his company including a farmer, printer, two teachers, wives and children were given land to build thatched houses for their stay in Hawaii. Years later, King Kamehameha III allowed the missionaries to build more permanent, western style houses.

The structures on the property include the Hale Laʻāu which was the home in which the first missionary Hiram Bingham, surgeon and later physician Dr. Gerrit Judd, printer Elisha Loomis and their families all lived. Gerrit Judd became a trusted adviser and finance minister to King Kamehameha III.

The Ka Hale Paʻi was the printing house where Americans and Hawaiians created the Hawaiian alphabet in order to produce books and other printed items. The Ka Hale Kamalani or the Chamberlain House was the home of the Chamberlain family and was also used as a storehouse for mission goods.

The newer buildings on the site include a museum, auditorium and gift shop. The Mission Houses are open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guided tours of the houses and print shop are offered at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. General admission is $10, Hawaii residents, members of the military, and senior citizens pay $8, students (6 years - college) pay $6.

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