The Hawaii State Capitol opened on the 15th of March, 1969. It is located in downtown Honolulu and was commissioned and dedicated by John A. Burns, second Governor of Hawaii. The former Statehouse used to be the Iolani Palace. The Hawaii State Capitol is a very popular attraction on the island. The building is occupied by the lieutenant governor and the governor of Hawaii. All legislative offices are located inside the building, numerous government proceedings and the state legislature convene inside the building.
The Hawaii State Capitol architecture was designed in an interpretation of the Bauhaus style. It has not been modeled after the U.S. State Capitol instead, its architectural features symbolize many different natural aspects of Hawaii. The Hawaii State Capitol is often called The Hawaiian international architecture.
The Hawaii State Capitol is a very popular tourist attraction, having many different features; the building is surrounded by a reflecting pool which symbolized the Pacific Ocean, it has two cone-shaped legislative chambers that represent the volcanoes that made the Hawaiian Islands, an aquamarine glass known as Aquarius is found inside the building's atrium, the columns that hold the perimeters of the building are coconut shaped, and the whole architecture has an open-air design which allows for sun, rain, and wind to enter.
In near proximity of the Hawaii State Capitol are also many other interesting places to visit. The Honolulu Zoo, Chinatown, Kawaiahao Church, Waikiki Beach are just some of places nearby.