Hawaii Ponoi – Iolani Palace

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Info

Hawaii Ponoi

Hawaii Ponoi

Hawaiʻi Ponoʻi

Hawaiʻi Ponoʻi

Words by King David Kalākaua, Music by Henri Berger

Hawaiʻi ponoʻī
Nānā i kou mōʻī
Ka lani aliʻi,
Ke aliʻi

Hui:
Makua lani ē,
Kamehameha ē,
Na kaua e pale,
Me ka ihe

Hawaiʻi ponoʻī
Nānā i nā aliʻi
Nā pua muli kou
Nā pōkiʻi

Hawaiʻi ponoʻī
E ka lāhui e
ʻO kāu hana nui
E uʻiē

Hawaiʻi's own true sons
Be loyal to your chief
Your country's liege and lord
The chiefChorus:
Royal father
Kamehameha
Shall defend in war
With spearsHawaiʻi`s own true sons
Look to your chief
Those chiefs of younger birth
Younger descentHawaiʻi`s own true sons
People of loyal heart
The only duty lies
List and abide

About the Palace

ʻIolani 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 ʻIolani Palace grounds.

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Treat your mom to a relaxing day at ʻIolani Palac

Treat your mom to a relaxing day at ʻIolani Palace at our upcoming Kamaʻāina Sunday, on May 12. Make a lei, enjoy a free concert by Nā Hōkū Hanohano awardee Raiatea Helm (@raiateamusic), and sign up for a free lauhala anthurium workshop. Sponsored by a grant from the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority’s Kūkulu Ola Program, the workshop is limited to 40 participants on a first-come, first-served basis. Stay tuned for further details on activities and entertainment!

Gates to the grounds will open at 8:30 a.m., with activities and tours from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Self-led audio tours are available for the first 500 attendees with a valid Hawaiʻi ID. Parking is available on the street and at Aliʻi Place. Visit the link in bio for more information.

“May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii Nei.” With a phr

“May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii Nei.” With a phrase like this, it’s hard to forget this special day! Lei Day was first officially recognized on May 1, 1929, as a way of keeping alive the centuries-old practice of presenting people with floral wreaths to say “Aloha.”

On this day in 1887, James McGuire chronicled a da

On this day in 1887, James McGuire chronicled a day of contrast and discovery in his diary while accompanying Queen Kapiʻolani and Princess Liliʻuokalani through Nevada. "I awoke this morning & found us traveling in Nevada. It is quite a barren spot... After we left the station we came to a beautiful country where the trees are nice and green."

Their day transitioned from breakfast at a nondescript station to marveling at the changing landscapes—from barren to verdant, through snow sheds, and even a playful stop to make snowballs. Their journey led them to Denver by 10 o'clock, described by McGuire as “a beautiful place as far as I could see of it, great large buildings and splendid roads, the place is lighted by electric light.”

This brief exploration in Denver, lasting merely 30 minutes before changing trains, provided a fleeting yet fascinating glimpse into the diverse terrains and burgeoning cities of America. Through McGuire’s words, we travel back in time, experiencing the contrasts and beauty of the land through royal eyes.

Pictured: Bird's eye view of Denver, Colorado, 1908. PC: Wikimedia Commons.

Yesterday, we held a special volunteer appreciatio

Yesterday, we held a special volunteer appreciation event to recognize the contributions of the Palace's dedicated volunteers. Their time and efforts have played a crucial role in helping us share the stories of ʻIolani Palace with both kamaʻāina and visitors from across the world. Mahalo to all of our volunteers!

If you are interested in volunteering, we invite you to learn more and apply on our website – link in bio.

On this day in 1891, three months after his death,

On this day in 1891, three months after his death, King Kalākaua's boathouse was sold at auction, a significant event in the history of Hawaiian royal possessions. The larger of the two boathouses found a new owner in Queen Liliʻuokalani, while the smaller was acquired by a local boat builder, showcasing the practical and personal interests intertwined within the royal family and the local community.

One of the standout items in the auction was a koa wood card table, which ignited a spirited bidding war before ultimately being won by Mr. H. Focke for $180. Not just a piece of furniture but a token of the kingdom’s rich cultural heritage, this table was passed down through his family and inherited by his son-in-law, George Wilson Sumner.

In a gesture of generosity and preservation of history, the Sumner family donated this precious artifact to The Friends of ʻIolani Palace in 2011. Today, visitors can view this koa wood card table in the King’s bedroom, where it stands as a tangible connection to the past and a testament to the enduring legacy of Hawaiʻi’s monarchy.

On April 26, 1891, Queen Liliʻuokalani, driven by

On April 26, 1891, Queen Liliʻuokalani, driven by her deep care for the welfare of her subjects, made a poignant visit to the Kalaupapa leprosy settlement on Molokaʻi. Her arrival was met with jubilation by the residents.

Queen Liliʻuokalani's visit was not just a symbolic gesture; it was part of her ongoing efforts to aid the hospital dedicated to caring for individuals diagnosed with leprosy. By assuring her people of her concern for their well-being, she played a crucial and active role in strengthening the medical care initiatives in the community.

This was not her first visit to Kalaupapa; the Queen had previously visited in 1881 and again in 1884. Her repeated visits underscored a steadfast resolve to provide not only medical support but also hope to her people. Through these actions, Queen Liliʻuokalani demonstrated her compassionate leadership, deeply invested in the health and hope of her kingdom's people.

#OnThisDay in 1879, Prince Charles Henry William A

#OnThisDay in 1879, Prince Charles Henry William Albert, son of the Crown Prince of Germany and grandson of Queen Victoria, departed Honolulu for Yokohama, Japan on board the Prinz Adalbert.

The prince, who was 17 at the time, had arrived in Honolulu on April 21. When he stepped ashore, a royal salute was fired from Punchbowl. He was taken in a Royal Carriage to Aliʻiolani Hale where he spoke to King Kalākaua for a few minutes. That afternoon he visited the Dowager Queen Emma. The following day, King Kalākaua took him to visit Mr. McKeague’s plantation ,Heʻeia, ʻOahu, to witness the making of sugar. In the evening, the band of the Prinz Adalbert played a concert at Queen Emma Square.

Pictured: Prince Henry in Hawaiʻi, 1879. PC: Wikimedia Commons.

On this day in 1887, during their historic journey

On this day in 1887, during their historic journey to London for Queen Victoria’s Jubilee, Queen Kapiʻolani and Princess Liliʻuokalani, accompanied by James McGuire, made a memorable stop in San Francisco. McGuire noted in his diary that after lunch, the Queen and Princess took a leisurely ride to Golden Gate Park, marking a serene moment amidst their significant journey.

In a gesture of gratitude and friendship, five years later, Queen Kapiʻolani gifted Golden Gate Park with a coconut tree, symbolizing the deep connections formed during their visit. This gift is a symbol of the enduring ties between Hawaiʻi and San Francisco.

During their stay, Queen Kapiʻolani made a point of engaging with the community, visiting numerous prominent schools and public institutions in Oakland. On Sunday, April 24, she continued her engagements by visiting her nephews (pictured) and other Hawaiian students at St. Matthew’s Hall in San Mateo.

Pictured left to right: Kuhio, Keliiahounui and Kawananakoa. PC: Hawaiʻi State Archives

On April 15, 1879, King Kalākaua visited Admiral

On April 15, 1879, King Kalākaua visited Admiral DeHorsey the aboard H.B.M.S. Triumph, marking a significant moment in technological demonstration. During his visit, Kalākaua participated in a naval drill, engaging in the innovative act of firing five 12-ton guns simultaneously using electricity—a feat showcasing the advanced military technology of the time.

The following evening, the citizens of Honolulu experienced an unprecedented display of electric light from the ship. This illumination event lasted nearly two hours, brightly lighting up the surrounding mountains, valleys, Waikīkī’s coconut groves, ships in the port, and the city’s buildings. The light was so brilliant that a person standing on the side of Punchbowl could read a pencil memorandum without difficulty, illustrating the powerful impact of electric lighting in the late 19th century.

Pictured: Harbor behind Aliʻiolani Hale. PC: Hawaiʻi State Archives.

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