A King And Queen Once Lived Here

Even though I grew up in Hawaii, it's so easy for me to forget that the islands were once governed by monarchs. (I know, shame on me.) Sure there are streets named after royalty and there are statues commemorating those who once ruled, but it wasn't until we took a step back in time (so to speak) when it all became real to me.

One of my mom's friends is a docent at the Iolani Palace, and she kindly got us tickets to take a tour inside the restored palace Friday. I wish I had been able to take photos inside, but cameras weren't allowed. :-/ I did take a bunch of photos outside though. :-D

The coat of arms of the Kingdom of Hawaii adorns the painted iron gates surrounding Iolani Palace. The motto, "Ua Mau Ke Ea O Ka Aina I Ka Pono" ("The Life of the Land is Perpetuated in Righteousness") is also the state motto today.

This is the view we saw of the palace as we headed through a side gate towards it. The palace (built of coral block) was completed in 1882 during King David Kalakaua's reign. The previous palace was demolished once this one was completed.

Here's a view of the coronation pavilion. It was built for the February 12, 1883, coronation of King Kalakaua and Queen Kapi`olani. The Royal Hawaiian Band still gives regular concerts near the pavilion.

Yes, it's a random photo of a fire hydrant on palace grounds, but I couldn't resist taking it. ;-D It's such a purty silver color. :-D

My hubby and kid look around the front of the Iolani Palace. The palace was the first palace to be wired for electricity and telephones (yeah, before European palaces). One of the docents said that King Kalakaua was very much ahead of his time and loved new technology.

After the overthrow of Queen Lili'uokalani (King Kalakaua's sister) in 1893 by those seeking an American alliance, the palace became the site of the legislature until a new capitol building was built. The fictional Steve McGarrett's Five-O office was located in the upper right corner of the building. The urge to hum the theme song was strong, but I refrained from doing so; that area of the building was also where Queen Lili'uokalani was imprisoned.

Here's a pic of some banyan trees that grow on the palace grounds.

Look! A monkey! ;-D

A view of the palace as we head up the stairs for the start of our tour.


We hung around a little after the tour to take photos around the palace grounds.

Here's a statue of Queen Lili'uokalani with the Iolani Palace in the background. The queen wrote many songs while imprisoned, including "Aloha Oe." King Kalakaua (who brought back hula after years of the ancient dance being banned) wrote the Hawaii national anthem, "Hawai'i Pono'i." I sung it a lot when I was in grade school.

If you face away from the statue, you'll see the back of the current state capitol building within easy walking distance. It is now appropriate for you to hum the Hawaii Five-O theme song. ;-D

A view looking out the front of the building. Yes, it's an open-air building with both houses of the state legislature on the first floor and the governor's office (and other offices) upstairs. No, I didn't see Steve McGarrett.

See? I told you it was an open air building.

Here is a shot of the mosaic tile artwork in the center.

A statue of Fr. Damien of Molokai sits in front of the captiol building. Fr. Damien was a Roman Catholic priest who cared for those with leprosy for 16 years until his own death in 1889 after contracting the disease. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1995 and was canonized on October 11, 2009, by Pope Benedict XVI. He's now a full-fledged saint. WOOHOO! His Feast Day (the day he is officially remembered by the church) is celebrated on May 10. In Hawaii, it is celebrated on the day of his death, April 15.

Above the statue is the state seal and motto. The pillars on either side of the seal (as well as around the state capitol building) symbolize coconut trees.

Here's a close-up of the seal.

And here's looking toward the back of the building. You can see Queen Lili'uokalani's statue in the background.


OK, I think that's it. I hope you enjoyed the mini-tour. :-D