Built in 1882, Iolani Palace is the only royal palace in the United
State. King David Kalakaua along with his wife, Queen Kapiolani, took
inspiration for its architecture when on a European tour. A popular
tourist attraction and a National Historic Landmark, Iolani Palace was
the residence of two monarchs, King Kalakaua and Queen Lili'uokalani. In
1893 after the monarch had been overthrown, the castle started to be
used as the capitol building of the provisional government and for the
State of Hawaii until 1969. In 1978, the castle underwent restoration
work and opened to the public as a museum.
Originally, the
construction of the palace was as a traditional Ali'i residence having
only ceremonial places, no sleeping room, a throne room, a reception, and
a state dining room. Other houses around the palace were used for
sleeping and for retainers. Kamehameha III slept in a cool grass hut
near the palace.
When David Kalakaua took the throne, the
original palace was in poor condition with termite damages. He had the
building razed. He commissioned the construction of a new palace as the
official palace of the Hawaiian monarchy. The architectural features of
the Iolani Palace are nowhere to be seen anywhere else in the world. A
style known as American Florentine. It consists of a grand hall that
faces a staircase made of koa wood on the first floor, ornamental
plaster is used to decorate the interiors, a throne room, a blue meeting
room that has a large portrait of King Louis Philip of France, a dining
room, an upstairs private library, and bedrooms of the Hawaiian
monarchy. The piano made of koa wood where Lili'uokalani used to play
for guests can also be seen.
Iolani Palace is a marvel of
opulence, innovation and political intrigue. Visitors can learn the
history surrounding the monarchy in Hawaii and embark either on a guided
tour or without guide.