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.

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

Last ticket sold at 4:00 p.m.

Terms & Conditions

Admission is free for members of the Friends of Iolani Palace. Not a member? Join now!
Group rates are available with advanced reservations.

About the Palace

Iolani 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).

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.

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On Saturday, May 28, 1881, King Kalākaua arrived

On Saturday, May 28, 1881, King Kalākaua arrived in Calcutta, India. The Calcutta Englishman reported that he expressed a wish that all formalities in respect to his visit be set aside. “His Majesty is a finished English scholar, and is musical, being not only able to perform on a variety of instruments, but also compose; his is also a poet…he takes delight in playing cricket, chess, baseball, archery and billiards. He is passionately fond of anything military...”

After landing, Kalākaua visited the Zoological gardens and attended a concert in the City Park. The following day escorted by the Chief Justice of Bengal Sir Richard Garth, he visited the Courts, listening to several cases conducted by native lawyers, in the English language. Kalākaua left Calcutta on May 30 on a large railway car heading across the Indian sub-continent for Bombay, now known as Mumbai.

In 1977, the reproduction carpet installation in T

In 1977, the reproduction carpet installation in Throne Room was completed.

The Throne Room carpet has a special design featuring monstera and fern leaves in shades of red and green. In 1911, the original carpet, still in fairly good condition, was taken to the Honolulu Scrap Iron Company on Halekauwila Street. Potential buyers were told it would be cut it into sizes to suit purchasers. Several center sections were given to the Bishop Museum.

In the 1970s, Friends of ʻIolani Palace member Mrs. Walter F. Judd found a piece of the carpet with the border design in the Washington State Historical Society Museum. The replica carpet, which measures 29’ x 51’, was created from these precious fragments was woven by the Hugh Mackay, Ltd. of London.

If you visit the Throne Room and glance down, the design is upside down. To view the carpet as it was intended, stand with your back to throne to see it right-side up.

#Onthisday, May 24, 1883, Princess Ruth Keʻelikō

#Onthisday, May 24, 1883, Princess Ruth Keʻelikōlani died in Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi Island.

Ruth Keʻelikōlani was born on February 9, 1826, to Chiefess Kalanipauahi and Gov. Kekūanāoʻa. She was a hānai sister of Kamehameha IV and V.

Princess Ruth was one of the most powerful and influential women of her time. She served as governor of Hawai’i Island for 21 years and by the mid-1800s had become the richest woman in the islands.

Princess Ruth held tight to tradition. Though she could understand English, she communicated exclusively in Hawaiian. In Kona, she chose to live in a large traditional structure rather than the western-style house on the same property. The home that Ruth built on Oʻahu, Keōua Hale (pictured), rivaled ʻIolani Palace in size and grandeur.

Over the years, the princess became known for the tragedies she suffered more than her achievements. Her mother died soon after she was born. Her first husband died at the age of 22. All three of her children died young: William Pitt Kīnaʻu, Keolaokalani Davis, and Leleiohoku.

Princess Ruth lay in state in her Emma Street home in Honolulu before her funeral, which took place on May 25.

On May 20, 1858, Albert Edward Kauikeaouli Kaleiop

On May 20, 1858, Albert Edward Kauikeaouli Kaleiopāpā o Kamehameha was born. The son of Queen Emma and Kamehameha IV, he was made a prince and heir to the throne shortly after his birth.

Several months before his 4th birthday, Prince Albert was made an honorary member of the fire department (Company 4) and participated in the fireman’s parade for his father’s birthday. In this photograph from the Hawaii State Archives, he is wearing his fireman’s uniform.

PC: Hawaiʻi State Archives

On September 2, 1836, Keohokālole gave birth to a

On September 2, 1836, Keohokālole gave birth to a girl. She was named Lydia Liliʻu Loloku Walania Kamakaʻeha. All her Hawaiian names are commemorative names.

Liliʻu =scorching, burning, smarting as is salt in a raw wound or pain in the eyes.

Loloku = smarting, tearful, burning are the eyeballs

Walania = anguish, burning pain, woe, torment

Kamakaʻeha = (Kamaka) the eye + ʻeha = hurt, in pain, painful

When Liliʻu was born, Kina’u—one of her mother’s friends—had an eye infection and they chose to commemorate that infection by giving the newborn four similar in meaning names.

When she was named heir to the throne, her brother King Kalākaua added okalani to her name Liliʻu. Thus, we know her as Princess and later Queen Liliʻuokalani.

On this day in 1885, Miss Annis Montague, a Hawaiʻi born opera star and her husband, Mr. Charles Turner, sang at Queen Emma’s funeral. Miss Montague performed Handel’s “Angels ever bright and fair”, while Mr. Turner sang “Comfort ye my people” from Handel’s Messiah.

Music was a constant in the lives of the monarchs. Hawaiian music and popular music of the day were featured at concerts, benefit events, meals, and balls held at ʻIolani Palace. Hawaiian music written by Nā Lani ʻEha, Henry Berger and others were performed along music written by Strauss, Verdi, Rossini, Bach, Beethoven, Wagner, and light opera (comic opera) by Gilbert and Sullivan.

On May 13, 1869, Queen Kapiʻolani’s nephew Edwa

On May 13, 1869, Queen Kapiʻolani’s nephew Edward Keliʻiahonui was born.

After Palace was completed, he lived with his mother, Princess Kekaulike, and his brothers, Prince David Kawānanakoa, and Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole, on the 2nd floor of ʻIolani Palace.

While in their teens, the brothers were sent to St. Matthews Hall, a boarding school in California. In a May 1885, a newspaper reported the grades for the spring term, which ended April 29. Keliʻiahonui and seven other students obtained a mark of 100 in deportment.

The following year Keliʻiahounui had a 90.8% average on his report card; his brother David had 89.5% and Jonah 89.5%.

In 1886 for his birthday, his aunt, Princess Poʻomaikelani, hosted a grand lūʻau at the Palace that was attended by the King and Queen, Princess Liliʻuokalani, Governor Dominis, and many others. The prince missed the party – he was still at school in California. A Honolulu newspaper commented, “A most elegant spread, a la Hawaiian, was laid out in the basement story of the Palace, to which all did ample justice.”

Hauʻoli Lā Hānau, Mary Kinoiki Kekaulike. Born

Hauʻoli Lā Hānau, Mary Kinoiki Kekaulike.

Born on May 12, 1843, she is the youngest sibling to Kapiʻolani and Poʻomaikelani.

Kekaulike is an inoa kupuna (a family name).
Kekaulike, and her sisters were granddaughters of Kaumualiʻi, the last king of Kauaʻi. Kaumualiʻi was a grandson of a Maui chief named Kekaulike. Kaumualiʻi’s daughter was given the name Kekaulike-Kinoiki. She had children with High Chief Kūhiō. Her daughter was also given the name Kekaulike.

She married and had children with David Kahalepouli Piʻikoi. Their three daughters were Kapiʻolani, Kapoʻoloku-Poʻomaikelani and Kekaulike. Kekaulike was born on May 12, 1843. This inoa kupuna was passed down to her great granddaughter Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kawānanakoa. who was born in 1926. Her English name Abigail is also an inoa kupuna from her grandmother, Abigail Maipinepine Campbell.

On May 11, 1991, architectural historian Charles P

On May 11, 1991, architectural historian Charles Peterson returned to Hawai’i and visited ʻIolani Palace.

Mr. Peterson became interested in the architecture of Hawaiʻi and ʻIolani Palace when he served as a commander on Admiral Nimitz’s staff during World War II. His interest in Hawaiʻi continued after he left the islands. He became one of the leading influences in the United States for historical preservation and restoration, including the restoration of Independence Hall in Philadelphia.

Mr. Peterson was the natural choice when the Junior League of Honolulu in 1966 made funds available to draft a plan for the Palace’s restoration.

When he visited in 1991, he toured the Palace with curator Jim Bartels, Friends of ʻIolani Palace Vice President Mary Helen Styan, and Board member Agnes Conrad. Mr. Peterson had high praise for the Palace restoration and was particularly impressed with the quality of the work.

During a post-tour reception, he was presented with a life membership to the Friends, a silver jubilee coin, and a framed 1965 photo of himself and the Friends first president, Liliʻuokalani Kawānanakoa Morris.

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