SCHOOL EXPERIENCES
E Na Haumana, Aloha Mai
Students are welcome to visit and gain a deeper understanding of the Hawaiian monarchy and the rich cultural significance of Iolani Palace.
School experience tours are available on Mondays and Thursdays at 9 a.m., 9:15 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m. or 10 a.m. Please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your tour start time to drop off lunches and backpacks as well as use the restroom facilities.
All experiences are at least 45 minutes and include a tour of select rooms in Iolani Palace. You may also add an optional 45-minute hands-on activity. At this time, guided tours are only available in English.
SCHEDULE A TOUR
To schedule a tour, please submit this reservation form. One form must be completed for each day and time you are booking a tour. For more information about reserving a tour, please call the Reservations Office at 808-522-0833 or email palacetickets@iolanipalace.org.
SCHOOL EXPERIENCES TOUR OPTIONS
PRE-K TO 1ST GRADE
Welcome to Iolani Palace
Total Tour Time: 30-45 minutes tour with optional hands-on activity
In this interactive hands-on tour, students will learn information about Hawaii's moi kane and moi wahine (kings and queens), specifically King Kalakaua, Queen Kapiolani and Queen Liliuokalani, as well as some of the events of their life and contributions to Hawaii's history. In addition, students will have the opportunity to learn about symbols of status and power in Hawaiian culture, specifically kahili.
Optional Hands-On Activity: The Queen's Quilt
Youth are provided with a square sheet of paper and coloring tools to draw out their favorite Palace fact, cultural resource, memory or historical moment. This is then put into a large quilt pattern modeled after the Queen's quilt.
2ND & 3RD GRADE
Sovereign Leaders
Total Tour Time: 45-minute tour with optional hands-on activity
This interactive hands-on tour will educate students about the significance of King Kalakaua and Queen Liliuokalani to Hawaii's history as well as discuss the achievements and challenges of their reigns.
Optional Hands-On Activity: The Hawaiian Flag
Visitors are provided with a square sheet of paper and coloring tools to draw out their favorite Palace fact, cultural resources, memory or historical moment. This is then put into the shape of the Hawaiian Kingdom flag.
4TH & 5TH GRADE
Alii Legacies
Total Tour Time: 45-minute tour with optional hands-on activity
This interactive hands-on tour will highlight the role Hawaiian alii had with their people. Themes include markers of alii status, alii responsibilities, alii legacies of caring for the people as well as their musical creations.
Optional Hands-On Activity: Royal Orders
While learning about the different Hawaiian royal orders given as well as those received by Hawaii's kings, queens and governmental officials, visitors will create their own royal order (medal of achievement). Visitors are given a pre-cut template that they can personalize, name and decided what achievement it recognizes as well as potential recipients.
4TH & 5TH GRADE
Diplomatic Gifts and International Relationships
Total Tour Time: 45-minute tour with optional hands-on activity
This interactive hands-on tour will educate students on the diplomatic gifts exchanged between the Hawaiian Kingdom and other nations. It emphasizes how these diplomatic gifts symbolize the important international relationships the Hawaiian Kingdom had with nations throughout the world.
Optional Hands-On Activity: Royal Orders
While learning about the different Hawaiian royal orders given as well as those received by Hawaii's kings, queens and governmental officials, visitors will create their own royal order (medal of achievement). Visitors are given a pre-cut template that they can personalize, name and decided what achievement it recognizes as well as potential recipients.
8TH - 9TH GRADE
Hawaiian Kingdom Treaties & Constitutions
Total Tour Time: 45-minute tour with optional hands-on activity
This interactive hands-on tour will educate students on the function of nation to nation treaties as well as Hawaiian Kingdom constitutions. It emphasizes how the Hawaiian Kingdom government used treaties to achieve sovereignty recognition of independence and to negotiate trades with other nation states.
Optional Hands-On Activity: Diplomacy in Action
In the Iolani Palace classroom, students will have the opportunity to put diplomacy into action. Breaking into small groups, students will be assigned a country that had a treaty with the Hawaiian Kingdom. They will then receive a copy of an actual treaty (transcribed) from the era that their assigned country had with the Hawaiian Kingdom. Based on the treaty’s content, students will need to work together to negotiate and respond to a hypothetical international issue faced by the Hawaiian Kingdom.
9TH - 12TH GRADE
Hawaiian Kingdom: Analysis of the Overthrow
Total Tour Time: 45-minute tour with optional hands-on activity
This interactive hands-on tour will help students understand the complex political, economic, and social environment in Hawaii during the time of the overthrow as well as to understand the events leading up to and after this pivotal event in Hawaii’s history.
Optional Hands-On Activity: Critical Analysis of Primary Resources
In the Iolani Palace classroom, students will work in groups to analyze primary resources from multiple viewpoints (Queen Liliuokalani, Committee of Safety, Hawaiian Kingdom citizen, Counter-Coup supporter, Annexationist and Anti-Annexationist American) and share with fellow students about what the primary resource teaches us about this pivotal event in Hawaii’s history and its repercussions.
PREPARING FOR YOUR VISIT
Hookupu: recognizing that gift-giving is an integral part of Hawaiian culture, the presentation of hookupu by students is welcomed.
Mele (song), oli (chant), or puolo (a gift bundled in leaves) can be prepared prior to your visit and given at the mauka entrance of the Palace immediately before the start of your tour.
ON THE DAY OF YOUR VISIT
Identification:
Students, teachers, and chaperones are required to wear name tags while on tour.
Vehicular Access:
Vehicular access to Iolani Palace grounds is limited to 15-passenger vehicles or smaller. If traveling in a larger vehicle (ie: school bus), students can be dropped off in front of the YWCA on Richards Street or in front of the State Capitol on Beretania Street.
Upon Arrival:
Please check in 30 minutes prior to your scheduled tour time. Tickets must be picked up at the Palace Basement Gallery and all over-sized bags and backpacks (15" W x 15" H x 6") must be secured in the storage space provided. Questions can be directed to the cashier.
Palace Shops:
Students are welcome to visit the Palace shops, however, we ask that they be escorted by an adult chaperone or teacher.
The Palace Shops is happy to now offer a teacher discount of 15% off books and DVDs. Please provide a faculty I.D. to the cashier at checkout.