IOLANI PALACE SEEKS PASSIONATE DOCENTS TO SHARE ITS RICH HISTORY WITH VISITORS

HONOLULU (Feb. 3, 2016) – Iolani Palace will be holding a twelve-week Docent Training Course for those who are interested in Hawaiian history and enjoy interacting with individuals of all ages. The training will expand participants’ knowledge of the Palace and monarchy era history, develop their public speaking skills and prepare them to share Iolani Palace with visitors from around the world. Classes will be held on Mondays from February 29 through May 16, 2016.

“Our docents are tasked with the special role of sharing the rich history of Iolani Palace,” said Iolani Palace Historian and Docent Educator Zita Cup Choy. “Their passion and enthusiasm for the royal legacies they share with guests makes for a unique visitor experience.”

As Iolani Palace is a popular attraction for international visitors, bi-lingual docents are also in demand, particularly those speaking Japanese, Mandarin, and Korean.

Classes will meet on Mondays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and include additional reading assignments and homework. The requested $20 fee will provide docents-in-training with a training manual, instruction, lectures, field trips, and other necessary materials.

Becoming a certified Iolani Palace Docent is a three step-process. It requires forty hours of Guardian Service (providing aid to docents), followed by completion of the Royal History Course, and completion of the Docent Training Course. Prospective applicants are encouraged to begin serving their Guardian hours as soon as possible.

For more information, please contact Docent Educator Zita Cup Choy at educator@iolanipalace.org or call (808) 522-0822 ext. 141.