WANTED: HAWAIIAN HISTORY AND CULTURAL ENTHUSIASTS TO VOLUNTEER WITH THE FRIENDS OF IOLANI PALACE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WANTED: HAWAIIAN HISTORY AND CULTURAL ENTHUSIASTS TO VOLUNTEER WITH THE FRIENDS OF IOLANI PALACE

Share Stories with Adults and Keiki as Docents and Guardians

HONOLULU (Jan. 8, 2020) – Help bring the rich history of Iolani Palace and Hawaii’s monarchy to life as a volunteer with The Friends of Iolani Palace. The Volunteer and Docent Training classes begin in February and will expand participants’ knowledge of the Palace and the Hawaiian Kingdom, develop their public speaking skills, and prepare them to share with guests of all ages from around the world. Additionally, The Friends is seeking volunteers to lead its upcoming School Experience tours.

“Iolani Palace really comes to life with the stories told by our volunteer docents,” said Paula Akana, executive director of The Friend of Iolani Palace. “Our volunteers have the opportunity to demonstrate not just their knowledge about the reigns of King Kalakaua and Queen Liliuokalani, but also their passion for this significant part of Hawaii’s history. We’re also excited to launch our new School Experiences tours later this year, where docents will be able to share special stories with Hawaii’s youth.”

The 12-week Volunteer and Docent Training class will be held on Mondays from February 3 to April 20, 2020, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The registration deadline is January 27, 2020.

The 7-week School Experience Docent Training sessions will be conducted on Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. starting on February 27 through April 9, 2020. The registration deadline is February 13, 2020.

Both courses include lecture sessions, reading assignments and self-led study projects. The $60 registration fee will provide participants with the training manual, lectures, field trips, and other necessary materials.

Becoming a certified Iolani Palace docent requires completion of the training classes and 40 hours of Guardian Service (providing aid to guests and docents). Volunteers interested in becoming a docent are encouraged to begin serving their Guardian hours as soon as possible.

For more information or to register for The Friends of Iolani Palace Volunteer and Docent Training classes, email Timothy Pham at kukui@iolanipalace.org or call (808) 522-0822 ext. 131.

About Iolani Palace

Iolani Palace is the only official residence of royalty in the United States. King Kalakaua was the first reigning monarch to travel around the world and built Iolani Palace in 1882 to enhance the prestige of Hawaii overseas and to mark Hawaii’s status as a modern nation. For more information, please call Iolani Palace at (808) 522-0822 or visit www.iolanipalace.org.

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