Iolani Palace — Attraction in Honolulu

Short History: Iolani Palace, located in downtown Honolulu, is a historic site of immense cultural significance in Hawaii. It was the official residence of the Hawaiian monarchs from 1882 to 1893, and it remains the only royal palace on U.S. soil. Built by King Kalākaua, the palace was a symbol of the Hawaiian Kingdom’s modernity and status among nations. The palace served as the royal residence until the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893, after which it became the Capitol building for the Provisional Government and later the Territory of Hawaii until it was restored and opened to the public as a museum in 1978.

Tickets and Admission: Tickets for Iolani Palace can be purchased online or at the entrance. It’s recommended to buy tickets in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons, as time slots can sell out quickly. General admission for a guided tour is around $30 for adults, with discounted rates for children, seniors, and military personnel. Self-guided tours are also available at a lower cost, typically around $20. Audio guides are included, providing detailed explanations as you explore the palace at your own pace.

Wait Times and Hours Required: The wait times at Iolani Palace are generally manageable, especially if you’ve booked tickets in advance. If you arrive without a reservation, you might have to wait for the next available tour, but the wait is usually under 30 minutes. The palace itself takes about 90 minutes to two hours to tour, depending on your pace and interest level. The guided tours are well-timed, allowing you to explore the key areas of the palace without feeling rushed. If you plan to explore the grounds and visit the gift shop, budget around two to three hours for the entire experience.

Parking: Parking around Iolani Palace can be challenging, as it’s located in a busy part of downtown Honolulu. There’s a small metered parking lot adjacent to the palace, but spaces fill up quickly, especially during peak hours. Street parking is available but limited, and you may need to walk a bit if you can’t find a spot nearby. Alternatively, paid parking garages are within walking distance, such as the Alii Place parking garage, which is a short stroll away. Public transportation is also a viable option, with several bus routes stopping close to the palace.

Crowd: The palace attracts a steady stream of visitors, but it rarely feels overcrowded, thanks to the timed entry system. Mornings tend to be quieter, making it an ideal time for a more relaxed experience. Weekdays generally see fewer tourists compared to weekends. The interior of the palace is spacious, allowing you to move through the rooms without feeling cramped, even when the tours are at full capacity.

Food and Dining Options: There are no food services available within Iolani Palace itself, but there are several dining options nearby in downtown Honolulu. The palace is just a short walk from the vibrant Chinatown district.

Major Attractions: The major attractions within Iolani Palace include the Grand Hall, where you can admire the sweeping koa wood staircase and portraits of Hawaiian royalty. The Throne Room, with its crimson and gold decor, is where official ceremonies and royal balls were held. The Blue Room, used for informal gatherings, houses European furnishings and Hawaiian artifacts. The King’s and Queen’s private suites offer a glimpse into the personal lives of the monarchy, complete with period furnishings and personal items.

The basement of the palace is home to a museum that showcases the regalia of the Hawaiian Kingdom, including the crown jewels, royal orders, and a collection of historic photographs and documents. The palace grounds, with their well-manicured lawns and ancient banyan trees, provide a peaceful setting to reflect on the history and significance of the site.

Iolani Palace is a must-visit for anyone interested in Hawaiian history...

This place is full of history and timeless artifacts, information about the personal lives of the royal family and their relatives. You have your choice of several tours, you should pick a tour well in advance.

With each visit to each room, and every floor, which by the way the building is Ada accessible as it includes ramps and an elevator for those in walkers wheelchairs etc, with every floor you feel the spirit and palpable emotions of days gone by. Of a lost era in time.

It goes through the history of the annexation of Hawaii. It covers the course of time when Sanford Dole, and the Dole plantation used all of their political power in Washington, to essentially buy and take over Hawaii for their own monetary gain.

You will see personal information about the children of the king the niece of the queen, her beautiful, intelligent and compassionate niece the Princess.

You'll learn about the surfing history and the sons of the king brought surfing to Santa Cruz California. And right underneath the Santa Cruz Pier you will see a small surf shop museum, and in the museum are portraits of the Hawaiian Kings sons and nephews. They actually introduced surfing to California.

I think for that alone, we here in the state should at least honor them for that. But sadly we do not honor this family for some reason. For some reason they have been written out of our history books, and not talked of what actually happened when the United States took over, and not acquired Hawaii.

The tour of this regal palace, the only Palace in the United States, is a once in a lifetime event. An event that takes time and patience and listening skills. You certainly do not want to forget a camera. You may take lots of photos but no videos and no flashes during pictures. You will be required to wear shoe coverings over your shoes or take off your shoes and wear them over your socks.

Expect to be led by a tour guide. They will not allow you to wonder about the palace unattended they have officials and tour guides on all floors and all areas.

When you come to Hawaii you should not miss this tour. Is one that will open your eyes to the beautiful history of Hawaii and her...

My husband and I have lived on Oahu for over 4 years. As residents of Hawaii, we had always wanted to visit the historic Iolani Palace. Last Sunday we finally did. On the second Sunday of every month, Iolani Palace hosts a special day called “Kama’aina Sunday”. It’s a day filled with fun and culture. All activities-including a tour of the palace- are free for residents of Hawaii. We were so excited to finally be there!

The first thing we did was an audio tour of Iolani Palace. Their audio equipment is top notch and the narration provided an enlightening array of historical information about Iolani Palace and all of the royalty who lived there. We were extremely impressed by Iolani Palace’s impeccable condition. This was true for everything-the rooms-the portraits-the magnificent staircase-the furniture-the sculptures and the vases. The highlight for me was standing only feet from the queen’s dresses. Wow! Looking at the royal dresses I could almost imagine her wearing them. They were absolutely breathtaking!

Touring Iolani Palace was amazing. And it only got better from there. After our tour, we went to the “crafts” area and learned how to weave a Lau Hala bracelet. It was a lot of fun. Also, the instructor is an 8th generation Lau Hala weaver and shared a lot of interesting history about Hawaii.

While all of this was going on, we listened to entertaining musical performances featuring Hawaiian music. Also, there were several groups of all ages performing beautiful Hawaiian dances. Throughout our Iolani Palace experience, every staff member we interacted with was both helpful and friendly.

After visiting Iolani Palace, I can honestly say it’s a MUST SEE for tourists and residents alike. We’ll never forget our day at...