Basement Gallery Exhibits – Iolani Palace

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Basement Gallery Exhibits

Tours & Admission

Basement Gallery Exhibits

Basement Gallery Exhibits

View an exhibit of select treasures from the Royal Collection, the restored Kitchen and the Chamberlain’s Office. Learn about the Palace restoration through a special exhibit accompanied by historic photographs.

Entry Times

Galleries open until 5:00 p.m.

Monday-Saturday: 9:30a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Last ticket sold at 3:30 p.m.

Terms & Conditions

Admission is free for members of the Friends of Iolani Palace. Not a member? Join now!
Japanese language Guided Tours are offered Monday and Friday at 11:30am, subject to docent availability.
The Palace encourages educators to bring their students on tour. Special school tours and group rates are available with advanced reservations.

About the Palace

Iolani Palace is a living restoration of a proud Hawaiian national identity, registered National Historic Landmark and the only official royal palace in the United States.

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

Main: 808-522-0822

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.

Instagram

Mahalo to Sue Miller, who marked five years as an

Mahalo to Sue Miller, who marked five years as an #IolaniPalace Docent in May and is one of our #FacesofIolaniPalace. Sue was invited by her hula sister to join a Royal History course taught by Zita Cup Choy. Although born and raised in #Hawaii, she always felt there was a significant gap in her knowledge about the monarchs after Kamehameha the Great. By the end of the enriching class, Sue decided she wanted to assist others in learning about the history of Hawaii and has been a volunteer ever since.

When asked what she loves most about being a volunteer, Sue cited the people. “I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and interacting with fascinating people here at the Palace, from the young college interns to the hardworking staff to the octogenarians and even nonagenarians who still volunteer at the Palace,” Sue said. “The other docents, volunteers and staff are also kind and helpful. They truly love the Palace and strive to make the visitors’ experience memorable and enjoyable. Engaging with visitors is also a joy. Many are earnest in their longing to learn more about Hawaiian history and ask very interesting questions. I miss not being able to conduct tours amidst the stay-at-home order.” Of all the rooms in the Palace, Sue loves taking visitors to the State Dining Room most of all. “I ask them to think of the State Dining Room as ‘Intelligence Central’ for the royal family,” Sue recalled. “I remind visitors that there was no transpacific cable during King Kalakaua’s time and that all mail and newspapers from abroad were brought to Hawaii by ship. The King would invite officers from these ships and visiting dignitaries to dine with the royal family, where they’d engage in discussions about events going on around the world. The dining room is an important room because this is where the royal family gathered information from about the world, not just a place of socially pleasant meals.” You can be one of the faces of Iolani Palace, too! We're preparing to reopen and have opportunities to serve as Reopening Guardians. For more information and to sign up, please email kukui@iolanipalace.org.

#OnThisDay in 1884, over 30 ladies responded to a

#OnThisDay in 1884, over 30 ladies responded to a request by Queen #Kapiolani for a meeting with her in #IolaniPalace.

She gave a short address in olelo Hawaii, which was translated by Colonel Iaukea. According to the Pacific Commercial Advertiser: “She told of the sad condition of the poor lepers, who were in need of many things not provided by law, and appealed to the sympathy and aid of those present.” The ladies agreed to give a garden party benefit on the Palace grounds. Committees were created and responsibilities assigned. At their second meeting on June 10, the committee decided to hold the event on June 26.

Mahalo to Allen Abaya, who’s served as a Palace

Mahalo to Allen Abaya, who’s served as a Palace Guardian for the past eight years and is one of our #FacesofIolaniPalace. Allen was inspired to volunteer after touring the Palace with his wife and the Newcomers Club of #Honolulu, where he spoke briefly with Docents and Guardians about their positive experiences. “I checked the website, connected with Cindy, and here I am, eight years later!” Allen said.

When speaking of his own experience, Allen has nothing but positive things to say. “The Palace is beautiful, and the staff and volunteers are really kind people who are dedicated to preserving and showcasing a very important part of Hawaii’s past. It’s a genuine pleasure and privilege to be able to spend time each week in such an historic place.” There are also so many aspects of being a Palace volunteer that Allen enjoys. “First, I love seeing the expressions on visitors’ faces and listening to their ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ when they first walk into the Grand Hall and take in all there is to see and learn about Hawaii’s past. Second, I enjoy meeting people from all over the world. And third, I adore seeing the excitement on visitors’ faces during the December Evening Tours when the Palace comes alive with lights, music, singing and dancing. It’s a grand time!” While #IolaniPalace is a very serious, historic place, it’s also a place where visitors and volunteers can have fun. “If I’m in the elevator with a visitor and they ask about it, I’ll sometimes say that the ‘Red Room’ is original to the Palace. This usually gets a laugh when I tell them I was only kidding as we step out of the elevator.”

Royal Orders are given by a ruler or lawmaking bod

Royal Orders are given by a ruler or lawmaking body to acknowledge outstanding achievements of individuals and diplomatic ties between nations. Collect the Royal Orders at the Palace in the form of souvenir pins. Choose from a variety of Royal Orders (pictured) for $9.95 each.

We are taking phone orders and can ship outside of Hawaii (additional fees may apply). Please call our shops at (808) 532-1050 to place an order or email us at shops@iolanipalace.org for any questions about our products. All shop purchases go towards the preservation and restoration of #IolaniPalace. Mahalo for your support.

Browse more items on our website, link in bio.

#OnThisDay in 1977 the installation of the reprodu

#OnThisDay in 1977 the installation of the reproduction Throne Room carpet was completed.

Before it could be recreated and installed, a great deal of research needed to be done. At the time, the #IolaniPalace team had black and white photographs, written descriptions, and access to a piece of the original carpet from the Bishop Museum collection.
In this black and white photograph, the board of the carpet can be seen. The carpet piece owned by @bishopmuseum was a piece from the center. Now what to do? Guessing or not including the border was not an option.

Luck was with The Friends of Iolani Palace (FOIP) because by pure chance, a member in Washington State found a piece of the carpet with the border in the Washington State Historical Society Museum! The Museum transferred that carpet piece and drapery tie-backs to the FOIP. The carpet piece with the border was the key to recreating the Throne Room carpet. The drapery tiebacks have been instrumental in the 21st century recreation of the drapery in the Gold Room.

Pictured: First photo - The Throne Room before 1887. Second photo - The restored Throne Room today.

This week we’re shining the spotlight on docent

This week we’re shining the spotlight on docent Doug Askman as part of our #FacesofIolaniPalace. Mahalo to Doug, who’s been a Palace hardworking volunteer for over 20 years. He began his #IolaniPalace journey as a Guardian in 2000 before training to become a Palace Docent a year later. Before volunteering, Doug had been a loyal member of The Friends of Iolani Palace and enjoyed his visits so much that he decided to give back in a more hands-on way. “I’m a history professor at Hawaii Pacific University, so I’ve always loved history,” Doug said. “At the time I started volunteering, I was working on my PhD and writing my dissertation. This can be a fairly isolated and isolating process. I wanted to do something that would make history come ‘alive,’ so volunteering at the Palace was a natural fit.” When asked about his favorite part of being a Palace volunteer, Doug couldn’t choose just one. “I have two favorite parts. First is being able to just be in the Palace surrounded by all of the amazing artifacts and history. Second is being able to interact with visitors from all around the world.” He also mentioned that he especially enjoys sharing connections between the Palace and the home countries, states, or cities of visitors. “People are always amazed by the many connections the Hawaiian kingdom had in the 19th century, especially when those links are related to their own lives.”

Our #IolaniPalaceShops feature of the day: Iolani

Our #IolaniPalaceShops feature of the day: Iolani Palace Books Combo Set ($15.00). This set includes three books that were produced by The Friends of Iolani Palace and are exclusive to the Palace Shops.
1. The Iolani Palace Portraits book provides information on the famous portraits and their artists that are on display at Iolani Palace.

2. The Queen’s Quilt is a very unique book that provides all of the details of one of the Palace’s most treasured items: Queen Liliuokalani’s Quilt, which she created during her imprisonment.

3. The Iolani Palace Guidebook provides a brief history of the monarchy and focuses on the Palace itself and all of its rooms.
Each book can be purchased separately for $7.00 each.

We are taking phone orders and can ship outside of Hawaii (additional fees may apply). Please call our shops at (808) 532-1050 to place an order or email us at shops@iolanipalace.org for any questions about our products. All shop purchases go towards the preservation and restoration of Iolani Palace. Mahalo for your support.

View more items on our website — link in bio.

Mahalo to volunteer Ms. Anthony Evans, who celebra

Mahalo to volunteer Ms. Anthony Evans, who celebrates five years as a Palace Guardian! As one of our #FacesOfIolaniPalace, Anthony is a Guardian, serving as a gracious host of the Palace, looking after both guests and docents while sharing the significance of the Palace with visitors from around the world. “I was so proud on my first day that I had one of the amazing security personnel take a photo of me!” Anthony proudly recalled.
When the opportunity to volunteer came around, Anthony said she jumped at the chance to play an important part in sharing #Hawaii’s incredible history with visitors. “I especially enjoy the moment guests from all over the world come through the door of the beautiful Palace and express—in awe—their pleasure as they walk alongside and then in front of the Grand Staircase,” Anthony said.

When asked about what facet of the Palace she receives the most questions regarding, Anthony responded, “The bidet! I’ve actually been amazed by the number of questions people have about this bathroom feature!” Do you have an interest in Hawaiian history and culture? Do you enjoy interacting and sharing stories with others? Consider volunteering with The Friends of Iolani Palace as a guardian or docent. Learn more about our volunteer opportunities at the link in our bio.

#IolaniPalace

It’s no secret that Queen #Liliuokalani was a gi

It’s no secret that Queen #Liliuokalani was a gifted songwriter. Her Majesty composed more than 160 songs, or mele, during her life. Learn to play or sing one of the Queen’s songs, including the classic “Aloha Oe,” with music sheets available for $5.00 each from our #IolaniPalaceShops.

We are taking phone orders and can ship outside of Hawaii (additional fees may apply). Please call our shops at (808) 532-1050 to place an order or email us at shops@iolanipalace.org for any questions about our products. All shop purchases go towards the preservation and restoration of #IolaniPalace. Mahalo for your support.

View more items on our website, link in bio.

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