Hawaii Ponoi – Iolani Palace

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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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On January 22, 1891, at 1:30 p.m., a solemn funera

On January 22, 1891, at 1:30 p.m., a solemn funeral service was held at San Francisco’s Trinity Church for King Kalākaua. Reverend J. Sanders Reed delivered a moving oration, concluding with these poignant words: he “bade the officers of the Charleston to take the royal body back to the people who loved him best.”

Following the service, King Kalākaua’s coffin was escorted to the USS Charleston with great ceremony. Members of the Golden Gate Commandery Knights Templar joined numerous military units, including the Fifth Artillery Band, to accompany the royal procession. Upon arrival at the ship, the coffin was placed under a canopy formed by the intertwined flags of the United States and Hawaiʻi—a powerful symbol of respect and unity.

As the ship began its passage through the bay, minute guns at Alcatraz and the Presidio fired salutes in honor of the late King, filling the air with the sound of reverence and mourning. At 5 p.m., the USS Charleston sailed through the Golden Gate, carrying King Kalākaua on his final journey home to Hawaiʻi.

Pictured: Trinity Church (Photo credit: Library of Congress)

In November 1890, King Kalākaua departed Hawaiʻi

In November 1890, King Kalākaua departed Hawaiʻi for San Francisco amidst rumors that he was traveling to Washington, D.C., to renegotiate the Reciprocity Treaty. However, the Kingdom’s Minister of Foreign Affairs clarified that the journey had “no relation to business, either of a public or private nature,” but was solely undertaken for His Majesty’s health.

While in California, King Kalākaua maintained a demanding schedule that would have challenged even a younger man. By mid-January, his health had significantly declined, and he was attended to by a local doctor at the Palace Hotel. On January 13, he was placed under the care of U.S. Navy Medical Inspector Dr. George S. Woods, who consulted with two prominent San Francisco specialists and kept detailed records of the King’s condition. These notes were later sent in a report to John Cummins, the Hawaiian Kingdom’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, and are now preserved in the Hawaiʻi State Archives.

On this day in 1891, at 2:35 p.m. on Tuesday, January 20, Dr. Woods announced: “His Majesty, King Kalākaua I of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi, ceased to exist.” The King’s death was attributed to “Bright’s Disease with Uremic Blood Poisoning,” now recognized as kidney failure.

Following his passing, King Kalākaua’s funeral service was held at San Francisco’s Trinity Church, where dignitaries, political figures, and hundreds of supporters gathered to pay their respects. His funeral was detailed in a four-column feature in The Morning Call, reflecting the significant impact of his reign. After the service, his casket was solemnly transferred to the USS Charleston for his final journey home to Hawaiʻi, where his people awaited the return of their beloved moʻi (king).

Photo: Kalākaua on the USS Charleston on his way to California, November 1890 (courtesy of the Hawaiʻi State Archives)

On January 19, 1893, commissioners of the Provisio

On January 19, 1893, commissioners of the Provisional Government departed Hawaiʻi with the goal of lobbying for the annexation of the Hawaiian Kingdom to the United States. This delegation, composed of Lorrin A. Thurston, William R. Castle, William C. Wilder, Charles L. Carter, and Joseph Marsden, sought to justify the overthrow and gain formal support for annexation, despite the protests of Queen Liliʻuokalani and the Hawaiian people.

While the commissioners embarked on their mission, U.S. Minister John L. Stevens remained in Hawaiʻi. His role in supporting the Provisional Government, including the unauthorized landing of U.S. troops, was a clear breach of diplomatic protocol. Stevens’ controversial actions ultimately led to his forced retirement, underscoring the impropriety of his involvement in the events of January 1893.

The departure of the commissioners signaled the Provisional Government’s intent to solidify their hold on power and further their agenda, regardless of the wishes of the Hawaiian Kingdom's people.

Pictured U.S. Minister John L. Stevens (Wikicommons)

Mahalo to everyone who joined us at the first Kama

Mahalo to everyone who joined us at the first Kamaʻāina Sunday of 2025! If you missed it, we hope to see you at our next Kamaʻāina Sunday on February 9 as we celebrate ‘Olelo Hawai’i Month.

The Hawaiian Kingdom was overthrown 132 years ago

The Hawaiian Kingdom was overthrown 132 years ago today. The events of January 17, 1893, unfolded as follows:

In the morning, Sanford B. Dole resigned from his position as Associate Justice of the Hawaiian Kingdom’s Supreme Court and accepted the role of President of the newly formed Provisional Government. Meanwhile, Queen Liliʻuokalani’s Cabinet made another plea to U.S. Minister John L. Stevens to support the Queen and her constitutional government. Stevens refused and further hinted that U.S. troops might intervene if the Provisional Government or their supporters were attacked.

In the mid-afternoon, Henry E. Cooper stood on the makai steps of Aliʻiōlani Hale and read a proclamation declaring the overthrow of the monarchy and the establishment of the Provisional Government.

At 3:00 p.m., James S. Walker delivered the proclamation to Queen Liliʻuokalani, informing her of the opposition’s demand for her abdication. The Queen refused.
Shortly after, the Queen met with her Cabinet, along with S. M. Damon and J. O. Carter. Recognizing the overwhelming threat of U.S. military force and desiring to prevent bloodshed, Her Majesty reluctantly yielded her authority under protest to the United States Government. She immediately sent a letter to U.S. President Benjamin Harrison, appealing for justice and the restoration of the Hawaiian Kingdom’s sovereignty.

In the months that followed, U.S. Minister John L. Stevens was forced into retirement due to his involvement in these actions and his violation of diplomatic protocol.

Today, as we reflect on the events of January 17, 1893, let us honor the memory of Queen Liliʻuokalani and her unwavering commitment to peace, justice, and the people of Hawaiʻi. Her actions and her steadfast aloha for her lāhui (nation) remain an enduring testament to her courage and grace in the face of adversity. May we continue to share her story and ensure that the history of Hawaiʻi is never forgotten.

Pictured: Queen Liliʻuokalani and Aliʻiolani Hale. Photo credit: Hawaiʻi State Archives.

Kama’āina are invited to reflect on Hawaiʻi’

Kama’āina are invited to reflect on Hawaiʻi’s history and the enduring legacy of the Hawaiian Monarchy FREE on Friday, January 17, in recognition of the overthrow in 1893. Free self-led audio tours will be offered with a valid Hawai’i driver’s license, state ID, or other proof of residency.

On Monday, January 16, 1893, at 9:00 a.m., the Com

On Monday, January 16, 1893, at 9:00 a.m., the Committee of Safety met with Marshal Charles B. Wilson, who urged them to abandon their plot to overthrow the monarchy. Despite his warnings, the Committee pressed forward with their plans.

Governor Archibald S. Cleghorn, recognizing the growing threat, proposed replacing Queen Liliʻuokalani with his daughter, Princess Kaʻiulani, as a compromise to preserve the monarchy. The Committee refused to consider the idea, resolutely determined to end the Hawaiian Kingdom’s monarchy altogether.
In a breach of diplomatic protocol, the Committee of Safety sent a letter to U.S. Minister John L. Stevens, requesting the landing of U.S. troops under the guise of protecting American lives and property.

At noon, Queen Liliʻuokalani officially announced her decision to delay the introduction of a new constitution, hoping to defuse tensions. Despite this gesture, U.S. troops landed in Honolulu shortly thereafter. Some were stationed at the U.S. Consulate and Legation, while others marched down King Street, halting near Punchbowl. As they passed ʻIolani Palace, the troops saluted the Queen, a gesture that many perceived as a veiled threat, signaling the military support behind the insurgents.

In response, Queen Liliʻuokalani sent two of her ministers, accompanied by Archibald S. Cleghorn, to deliver a formal protest to Minister Stevens, denouncing the landing of U.S. troops without the permission of the Hawaiian government. Stevens, however, dismissed the protest, insisting on a written submission, which was promptly provided. Despite receiving the written protest, Stevens refused to withdraw the U.S. forces, solidifying their presence in Honolulu.

This moment, marked by the landing of foreign troops and the refusal to honor the Hawaiian Kingdom’s sovereignty, set the stage for the overthrow of the monarchy.

Pictured: U.S. Troops on the grounds of the Arlington Hotel, near the current site of the Executive Center

Photo credit: Hawaiʻi State Archives

On Sunday, January 15, 1893, the tension between Q

On Sunday, January 15, 1893, the tension between Queen Liliʻuokalani’s government and the Committee of Safety escalated. Lorrin A. Thurston, a member of the Committee of Safety, informed two of the Queen’s four Cabinet ministers, John F. Colburn and Arthur P. Peterson, that the Committee was prepared to depose the Queen—with or without their cooperation.

That evening, the Queen’s ministers, Samuel Parker and Arthur P. Peterson, sought clarity from U.S. Minister John L. Stevens on his stance regarding the looming conflict. Stevens declared that, in the event of an armed confrontation between the insurgents and the Queen’s forces, he would not support the Hawaiian Kingdom’s forces but would instead act to protect American lives and property. This declaration was promptly communicated to the Committee of Safety, emboldening their plans.

During an evening cabinet meeting at ʻIolani Palace, the Kingdom’s Marshal, Charles B. Wilson, requested that martial law be declared and the conspirators arrested. He recognized the immediate danger to the monarchy and sought decisive action to prevent the overthrow. However, the Queen’s cabinet ministers, wary of provoking conflict with the United States, denied his request.

This critical moment underscores the precarious position of the Hawaiian Kingdom, caught between internal dissent and the external pressures of foreign influence. The hesitation to act decisively would ultimately have profound consequences for the sovereignty of Hawaiʻi. Stay with us as we recount the final days leading to the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom.

Photo credits: Hawaiʻi State Archives

On Saturday, January 14, 1893, Queen Liliʻuokalan

On Saturday, January 14, 1893, Queen Liliʻuokalani informed her newly appointed ministers of her intention to proclaim a new constitution. In her memoir, Hawaiʻi’s Story by Hawaiʻi’s Queen, she reflected on the overwhelming demand for change:

“...petitions [arrived] from every part of the Islands for a new constitution; …It was estimated by those in position to know, that out of a possible 9,000 registered voters, 6,500 or two thirds had signed these petitions. To have ignored or disregarded so general a request I must have been deaf to the voice of the people, which tradition tells us is the voice of God.”

The proposed constitution, she explained, “…would have restored some of the ancient rights of my people…and limited the exercise of suffrage to those who owed allegiance to no other country….”

At 1:30 p.m., in a meeting in the Blue Room of ʻIolani Palace, her cabinet ministers—legally required to sign the constitution for its enactment—refused to do so, citing concerns of opposition and urging a delay.

Later that afternoon, Queen Liliʻuokalani addressed officials, diplomats, and a crowd outside the Palace:

“I was ready and expected to proclaim the new constitution to-day…But, with deep regret, I say that I have met with obstacles that prevent it. Return to your homes peaceably and quietly…and continue to look towards me, and I will look towards you…”

That day, the Committee of Safety, formed by those opposing the new constitution, began plotting the overthrow of the monarchy. Three days later, their plans came to fruition, culminating in the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom on January 17, 1893.

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