Basement Gallery Exhibits – Iolani Palace

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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

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In honor of Honolulu’s fallen officers. 💙 @honolulupd

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#OnThisDay in 1895, #Liliuokalani formally abdicated the throne. She was forced to sign the papers that would take away her power as sovereign. In her own words she wrote: “About the 22nd of January, a paper was handed to me by Mr. Wilson, which on examination, proved to be a purported act of abdication for me to sign…The idea of abdicating never originated with me…For myself, I would have chosen death rather than to have signed it; but it was represented to me that by my signing this paper all the persons who had been arrested, all my people now in trouble by reason of their love and loyalty to me, would be immediately released.” When asked how she should sign, she was told “Liliuokalani Dominis” by representatives of the Republic of Hawaii government. She stated, “There is not, and never was, within the range of my knowledge, any such a person as Liliuokalani Dominis.” Can a document that was not signed with her legal name be a legally enforceable document?

By October of 1896, her supporters who had been arrested, tried and convicted had been released and pardoned, including Liliuokalani.

#IolaniPalace #Honolulu #Oahu #Hawaii #HawaiiMuseum #HawaiiHistory #HawaiianHistory #HawaiianMonarchy

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In November of 1890, King Kalakaua left Hawaii for #SanFrancisco. It was rumored that he was on his way to Washington D. C. to renegotiate the reciprocity treaty. The minister of foreign affairs stated that the trip had “… no relation to business, either of a public or private nature, of whatsoever kind, but has been projected solely in the interest of His Majesty’s health.” While in California, #Kalakaua kept up a pace that would have tired even a younger man. When his health deteriorated in mid-January, a local doctor tended to him in his suite at the Palace Hotel.
On January 13, Kalakaua was placed under the care of U.S. Navy Medical Inspector George S. Woods. Dr. Woods consulted two eminent San Francisco specialists and kept meticulous notes which were sent as a report to John Cummins, the Hawaiian Kingdom’s Minister of Foreign Affairs (this report is now in the Hawaii State Archives). The King’s health continued to deteriorate.
#OnThisDay in 1891, Dr. Woods announced as follows: “At 2:35 pm on Tuesday, January 20, 1891, His Majesty, King Kalakaua I of the Kingdom of Hawaii, ceased to exist.” His final diagnosis was “Bright’s Disease with Uremic Blood Poisoning”(now known as kidney failure). The funeral service, attended by dignitaries, political and social leaders , and hundreds of supporters garnered a four column story in the San Francisco daily paper The Morning Call. Kalakaua’s casket was then transferred from Trinity Church to the USS Charleston for his final voyage home.

Pictured: Kalakaua on the USS Charleston.

#IolaniPalace #Honolulu #Oahu #Hawaii #HawaiiMuseum #HawaiiHistory #HawaiianHistory #HawaiianMonarchy

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The Hawaiian Kingdom was overthrown 127 years ago. The following is the documented timeline #OnThisDay in 1893:

In the morning, Sanford B. Dole submitted his resignation as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court and accepted the Presidency of the Provisional Government.

The Queen’s Cabinet then called on U. S. Minister John L. Stevens and asked him again to support the Queen, which he refused to do. Stevens also hinted that U. S. troops might get involved if the Provisional Government or their supporters were attacked.

In the mid-afternoon on the makai steps of Aliiolani Hale, Henry E. Cooper read the proclamation overthrowing the monarchy and establishing a Provisional Government.

At 3:00 pm, James S. Walker informed the Queen of the proclamation and the opposition’s request for her abdication. Her Majesty refused.

The Queen’s cabinet along with S. M. Damon and J.O. Carter then met with the Queen, who yielded authority under protest to the U.S. Government and subsequently sent a letter to U.S. President Benjamin Harrison appealing for justice.
U. S. Minister John L. Stevens was forced into retirement for his actions during these five day in January of 1893.
Pictured: Liliuokalani in 1892.

#IolaniPalace #Honolulu #Oahu #Hawaii #HawaiiMuseum #HawaiiHistory #HawaiianHistory #HawaiianMonarchy

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#OnThisDay in 1893, Queen Liliuokalani presented a new constitution to the cabinet at the request of her people. The Queen received petitions from her people requesting that she change the existing constitution. Her cabinet was not in support of the changes. Those awaiting word from the Queen were disappointed as she stated the following: “I was ready and expected to proclaim the new constitution to-day, as a suitable occasion for it, and thus satisfy the wishes of my dear people. 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. Keep me ever in your love. I must confer with my cabinet, and when, after you return home, you may see it, receive it graciously. You have my love and with sorrow I now dismiss you.” - Queen Liliuokalani
#IolaniPalace #Honolulu #Oahu #Hawaii #HawaiiMuseum #HawaiiHistory #HawaiianHistory #HawaiianMonarchy

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This week we discuss the members of the Committee of Safety who overthrew Queen Liliuokalani.

First Lady of the United States Eleanor Roosevelt in her June 20, 1939 newspaper column commented, “I have always felt that whatever your beliefs might be, if you could earn enough to keep body and soul together and had to be pretty busy doing that, you would not be apt to have time to plot the overthrow of any existing government.” Pictured: Committee of Safety members

#IolaniPalace #Honolulu #Oahu #Hawaii #HawaiiMuseum #HawaiiHistory #HawaiianHistory #HawaiianMonarchy

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William Pitt Leleiohoku, Kalakaua’s brother and heir to the throne, was born #OnThisDay in 1854.
When #Kalakaua traveled to the United States in 1874, he appointed #Leleiohoku regent (acting monarch). Since January 10, 1875 was a Sunday, the holiday in honor of the Prince Regent’s 21st birthday was celebrated on Monday the 11th. At noon, a salute was fired, a reception was held at #Aliiolani Hale, and ships in port were decorated with flags.
The following year, his birthday featured a parade and reception on the Palace grounds, which was attended by 300 to 400 guests.
#IolaniPalace #Honolulu #Oahu #Hawaii #HawaiiMuseum #HawaiiHistory #HawaiianHistory #HawaiianMonarchy

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#ThrowbackThursday: Last week, The Friends of Iolani Palace was presented a commemorative cornerstone by members of the Lodge le Progres de l’Oceanie, the Masonic lodge of King Kalakaua, at high-noon on December 31, 2019, the 140th anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone of the national and historic landmark.

King #Kalakaua help to lay the cornerstone of Iolani Palace as Worshipful Master of Lodge de Progres de l’Oceanie on December 31, 1879, was also the 45th birthday of his beloved wife, Queen #Kapiolani.

The masonic tools used by Kalakaua, including the plumb, level square, and trowel, are displayed in the Palace’s Basement Galleries. The 500-pound commemorative cornerstone is inscribed with the historic and commemorative dates, and the masonic symbols of the compass and the square. The replica cornerstone is currently displayed at the front stairs of #IolaniPalace; a permanent location will be determined at a later date.

#Honolulu #Oahu #Hawaii #HawaiiMuseum #HawaiiHistory #HawaiianHistory #HawaiianMonarchy

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Hauoli la hanau e Kapiolani! Today marks what would have been Her Majesty’s 185th birthday.

#OnThisDay in 1879 was Queen Kapiolani’s 45th birthday. This day also marks the 140th anniversary of the laying of the Iolani Palace cornerstone by the (Masonic) Lodge le Progres de l’Oceanie.

His Majesty King Kalakaua participated, but others gave the speeches. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the working tools used in the laying of the cornerstone—plumb, level, square and trowel—were presented to the Lodge. These tools are now on display thanks to the Lodge le Progres de l’Oceanie in our Basement Gallery.

In 1929 and again in 1979, searches for the original cornerstone were unsuccessful. On December 31, 1979, the Lodge le Progres de l’Oceanie assisted by the Friends of Iolani Palace laid a centennial cornerstone that can be seen on the ground adjacent to the wall halfway between the makai steps and the ewa corner of the building.

#IolaniPalace #Honolulu #Oahu #Hawaii #HawaiiMuseum #HawaiiHistory #HawaiianHistory #HawaiianMonarchy

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