Ever stepped foot in a royal mansion? Well now you can. Hulihe'e Palace was built in 1838 by the second governor of Hawaii, John Adams Kuakini. Built in the Victorian style was a summer home for the royal families of Hawaii. Now it is preserved as a window into the past, a portal into the lives of the 19th century Hawaii Royals.
There are many relics and artifacts to see at this historic museum. One thing of particular intrigue is the koa furniture. This furniture was crafted from the acacia koa tree, great trees of impressive stature. The dining table in particular, measuring at 70 inches in diameter, was cared from a single log. There are also two cabinets upstairs, crafted by a Chinese prisoner who was serving life in prison for smuggling opium into the region. King Kalakaua commissioned the cabinets, and after being impressed by the craftsmanship, he pardoned the Chinese man from his sentence.
Along with the history, you can also catch some folk entertainment at Hulihe'e Palace. Once a month, a hula and music concert is held free of charge. The concert begins at 4pm at the Palace. Across the street from the palace is the the oldest Christian church in the state: Moku'aikaua Church. It is made from coral mortar and lava rock, and its steeple soars above it at a height of 112 feet. This makes the church the tallest man-made structure in Kailua-Kona.
The Palace is a cheap source of culture and entertainment, as admission is only $5 per adult and $1 per child. Don't miss out on this amazing historic site!