While we currently have limited tour capacity, you can enjoy the rich culture, history and insights of a Palace visit from the comfort of your own home. We encourage you to explore the Palace from a new perspective through our various digital resources.

Fourteen portraits of Hawaiian monarchs and their consorts currently hang on the walls of the Palace. Join Iolani Palace Historian Zita Cup Choy in our Portraits Video Series on Facebook to learn about the life stories and legacies of these influential leaders.

Here’s one about King Kamehameha II:

Watch More Videos on Facebook

In 1966, the Junior League of Honolulu, a women’s organization dedicated to volunteerism, began a nearly three-year long project to document Iolani Palace during the time it served as the official residence of the Hawaiian monarchy in preparation for the Palace’s restoration. This undertaking involved thousands of hours of research by dozens of volunteers, primarily in the Hawaii State Archives. It focused on documenting both the exterior and interior of the building, detailing the Palace’s construction, furnishings, and uses during the monarchy. An enormous number of newspapers, photographs, and other documents, in both Hawaiian and English, were examined and analyzed. The research was then compiled and indexed. The results of the meticulous work of the Junior League is now available for all who are interested in the history of Iolani Palace to advance their knowledge of this extraordinary building.

View the Digital Junior League Files

The Na Moolelo Lecture Series features presentations by Hawaiian cultural experts, historians, and museum professionals that prompt discussion of Hawaii history and culture as well as museum practices. A collection of our past lectures are available to view online.

VIEW ALL PAST LECTURES

Iolani Palace was built in 1882 by the last king of Hawaii, King Kalakaua. It remained a royal residence until Queen Liliuokalani, the king's sister and successor, was deposed and the Hawaiian monarchy overthrown in January 1893. The Palace served as capitol of the Provisional Government, Republic, Territory and State of Hawaii until 1969.