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Blog
    Iolani Palace > Blog > In The News > Aging Well: Iolani Palace volunteers say connection to history makes job special

Aging Well: Iolani Palace volunteers say connection to history makes job special

August 10, 2021
In The News

“I realize I’m walking in the very steps of the king and queen,” says palace guardian Doug Levisnon.

Read the full story
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About the Palace

Iolani Palace is a living restoration of a proud Hawaiian national identity and a registered National Historic Landmark.

Located at the corner of King St. and Richards St. in downtown Honolulu (more details).

Administrative Office: 808-522-0822, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Ticket Office Hours: 808-522-0832, Tuesday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Phone calls accepted on Mondays 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Palace Shop Hours: 808-532-1050, Tuesday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Phone calls accepted on Mondays 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

E-Cigarette Policy

“Smoking, Use of Electronic Smoking Devices, or Use of Tobacco or Betel Nut Products is Prohibited by Law” in all state parks including Iolani Palace grounds.

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Once again, Hawaiʻi residents and visitors are in Once again, Hawaiʻi residents and visitors are invited to the Palace grounds from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for Kamaʻāina Sunday on October 8. Generously sponsored by American Savings Bank, the free monthly event provides an opportunity to explore the Palace and discover various aspects of Hawaiian culture with self-led audio tours of the Palace, live entertainment, family-friendly activities, giveaways and ʻono food. 

This month’s theme is “Moʻōlelo Traditions,” highlighting the cultural significance of storytelling. Guests will enjoy ghost stories from Hawaiian storyteller Lopaka Kapanui, a performance by Hālau Hiʻiakaināmakalehua and music by talented local artists. Visit the link in our bio learn more. We hope to see you there!
During the monarchy period, access to the Palace g During the monarchy period, access to the Palace grounds was limited to the Royal Family, their staff, and guests. Admission was granted only if you knew the password, had an appointment, or were coming to work.

After the overthrow, government officials, residents, and visitors to Oʻahu were given access to the grounds 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Today, the grounds are under the jurisdiction of the State Parks Division of the Department of Land and Natural Resources. While the grounds are closed at night, the public is always welcome to enjoy them when the gates are open during the day.

Pictured: ʻIolani Palace before 1889.
On this day in 1862 Lydia Paki and John Owen Domin On this day in 1862 Lydia Paki and John Owen Dominis were married. Liliʻuokalani recounts the wedding in her book, Hawaiʻi’s Story by Hawaiʻi’s Queen. 

“I was engaged to Mr. Dominis for about two years; and it was our intention to be married on the second day of September 1862. But by reason of the fact that the court was in affliction and mourning, our wedding was delayed at the request of the king, Kamehameha IV, to the sixteenth of that month; Rev. Dr. Damon, father of Mr. S. M. Damon, at present the leading banker of the Islands, being the officiating clergyman. It was celebrated at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Bishop, in the house which had been erected by my father, Paki, and which, known as the Arlington Hotel, is still one of the most beautiful and central of the mansions in Honolulu. To it came all the high chiefs then living there, also the foreign residents, in fact, all the best society of the city.

“My husband took me at once to the estate known as Washington Place, which had been built by his father, and which is still my private residence. It is a large, square, white house, with pillars and porticos on all sides, really a palatial dwelling, as comfortable in its appointments as it is inviting in its aspect; its front is distant from the street far enough to avoid the dust and noise. Trees shade its walls from the heat of noonday.” 

Pictured: The Bishop Residence by D. Howard Hitchcock
In 1924 Mid-Pacific, a local magazine, published a In 1924 Mid-Pacific, a local magazine, published an article written by Liliʻuokalaniʻs hānai moʻopuna kāne (grandson) John Owen Dominis, then 12 years old.  He was the son of John Aimoku Dominis and Sybil McInerny Dominis, and was born in an upstairs room of Washington Place on June 12, 1912.

The article begins with “...I have many memories of Washington Place during the last five years of the Queen’s life but I am sorry to say that I can’t recall a single thing about the most important of all my experiences there—my first official reception by Her Majesty. I was less than an hour old at the time, and they say (his mom and nurse) I behaved very badly, squalling loudly when I was carried into the Royal Presence.

“Her Majesty was strong willed and usually had her own way about things. I remember one day when she was going for a ride she put on her hat backwards. It was my delight to go for rides with the Queen but my outing that day was more fun than usual because Her Majesty would not change and wore her hat backwards all the way…When my mother and I were alone with the Queen we rode in the low back seat with Her Majesty but I had the most fun when someone else was along and I could sit on that high seat and tumble into the Queen’s lap whenever we hit a bump.”

He died in 1933 at the age of 21. 

A young John Owen Dominis was featured on the cover of the 2007 Washington Palace program, alongside Queen Liliʻuokalani and his sister Sybil.
Today is National Kūpuna (grandparents) Day. In Today is National Kūpuna (grandparents) Day.

In the back of her autobiography Hawaiiʻs Story by Hawaiiʻs Queen, Liliʻuokalani shared her moʻokūauhau (genealogy). Her maternal grandparents were Aikanaka (kāne) and Kamaeokalani (wahine). Her paternal grandfather and grandmother were Kamanawa and Kamokuiki.

Kamokuiki (Liliuokalani’s maternal grandmother) later had a son with Alapai. Their daughter, Kekahili Kamokuiki Alapai, and Jonah Piʻikoi were the grandparents of Prince Kawānanakoa, Prince Keliʻiahounui and Prince Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole.

Pictured: Kaiʻulaniʻs kūpuna; PC: Hawaiʻi State Archives.
The Friends of ʻIolani Palace is proud to partici The Friends of ʻIolani Palace is proud to participate in Give Aloha, Foodland’s annual community matching gifts program. Throughout September, you can make a donation to The Friends and Foodland will match a portion of your gift.
 
Here’s how it works:
1. Shop at any Foodland or Sack N Save store
2. Make a donation of any amount up to $249 at checkout
3. Give the cashier The Friends’ organization code – #77176 
4. Present your Maikaʻi card or phone number
5. Review your receipt to confirm the donation amount and organization

That’s it! We’ll receive all donations made to The Friends of ʻIolani Palace plus our matching gift in October.
 
To help increase the matching gift for all participating organizations, you can also donate 250 Maikaʻi points, equivalent to a $5 donation, or purchase limited-edition Give Aloha merchandise designed by Punky Aloha. Mahalo for your support!
#OnThisDay in 1883, the Royal Hawaiian Band return #OnThisDay in 1883, the Royal Hawaiian Band returned from a trip to San Francisco, where they participated in ceremonies connected to the Conclave of Knights Templars. The band performed at a number of other sites in the city as well and were “acknowledged by the press and public to be the best band that has ever visited San Francisco,” according to a Daily Bulletin article published on September 5, 1883. 

On this trip, the Band introduced the world to Liliʻuokalani’s composition “Aloha ʻOe.” She comments on the sheet music shown in the second photo (the last line):

“Composed at Maunawili 1878. Played by the Royal Hawaiian Band in San Francisco August 1883 and became very popular.”
 
First photo: The Royal Hawaiian Band on the Queen Emma Square bandstand. 
Second photo: Aloha ʻOe sheet music.
PC: Hawaii State Archives
The Friends of ʻIolani Palace (code 77176) is pro The Friends of ʻIolani Palace (code 77176) is proud to participate in Give Aloha, @foodlandhi’s annual community matching gifts program. Throughout September, you can make a donation to The Friends and Foodland will match a portion of your gift.
 
Here’s how it works:
➤ Go to any Foodland or Sack N Save store
➤ Make a donation of any amount up to $249 at checkout
➤ Give the cashier The Friends’ organization code – #77176 the pin pad 
➤ Present your Maikaʻi card to the cashier or enter your phone number on
➤ Review your receipt to confirm the donation amount and organization
 
That’s it! We’ll receive all donations made to The Friends of ʻIolani Palace plus our matching gift in October.
 
To help increase the matching gift for all participating organizations, you can also donate 250 Maikaʻi points, equivalent to a $5 donation, or purchase limited-edition Give Aloha merchandise designed by Punky Aloha. Mahalo for your support!
Hauʻoli Lā Hānau, Queen Liliʻuokalani! Today w Hauʻoli Lā Hānau, Queen Liliʻuokalani! Today we celebrate her 185th birthday. 

On September 2, 1988, in honor of Liliʻuokalaniʻs 150th birthday, The Friends of ʻIolani Palace presented an evening of music on the Palace grounds. 

The Royal Hawaiian Band kicked off the concert followed by performances by the Honolulu Boy Choir, the musical group Kaimana, Nalani Olds, Bill Kaiwa, the Kawaiahaʻo Choir, and a poem read by Niklaus Schweizer. The poem was an 1886 birthday gift to then Princess Liliʻuokalani from Montgomery Mather and appeared in the Pacific Commercial Advertiser on September 3 (seen in second image) of that year. 

PC: Hawaiʻi State Archives
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