Queen Emma Summer Palace — Attraction in Honolulu

Queen Emma Summer Palace is a hidden gem tucked away in the lush Nuʻuanu Valley of Honolulu — and well worth the visit if you’re interested in Hawaiian history and royalty. Because it’s not as well known as other tourist sites, it’s refreshingly quiet and uncrowded, giving you space to truly enjoy the atmosphere at your own pace.

The palace, also known as Hānaiakamalama, was the summer retreat for Queen Emma, King Kamehameha IV, and their son Prince Albert. The building itself is beautifully preserved, and walking through the rooms is like stepping back into the 19th century. Inside, you’ll find a rich collection of original furnishings, clothing, artifacts, and royal portraits — almost like a mini museum that offers a personal and intimate look into the life of Hawaiian royalty.

What really made our visit special were the incredibly friendly and knowledgeable staff, who were more than happy to share insights and answer questions. Their passion for the history and cultural heritage of Hawaii made the experience all the more meaningful.

Whether you’re a history buff, a culture lover, or just looking for something peaceful and off the beaten path, Queen Emma Summer Palace is a quiet treasure in Honolulu. A short drive from downtown, it’s easy to fit into your itinerary — and you’ll be...

IT'S LONG! Docents here do NOT have Aloha spirit. When we arrived there were 3 of them chatting together right in the entrance. We saw a sign that we had to remove our shoes. My husband walks with a cane but there was a bench so he sat to remove his shoes. Then we stood to go in and they said we had to go around to the Gift Shop first. Sat and put shoes back on. Volunteer in Gift Shop had Aloha spirit and explained that the tour was $8 for seniors. Back to entrance again, removed shoes and joined 2:00 tour in progress. She was very knowledgeable and we enjoyed the tour. On leaving I asked the woman at the door if she would return the laminated sheets to the office. "We ask you to do that. " I told her I wasn't feeling well and handed them to her. I put on my shoes and turned to go. She stepped right in my path to talk to someone else and wouldn't move. I stepped around her. Not sure if these ladies were being deliberately rude or just stupid. Also, while my husband was waiting for me to get the tickets he overheard one women advising the others to not engage the visitors or ask any questions as their jobs were to get people out as quickly as possible 🤨. It still was interesting and I enjoyed...

I have lived I Hawaii for over 40 years and this is the first time I have stepped foot at this amazing historical location. I regret not going before because I feel I really missed out. I almost dare to say that it is better then the Iolani Palace. There is a guided walking tour that really is full of amazing historical information and paints a complete picture of those that lived there and things that led up to their possessions and related historical facts that you just can't get out of a history book.

You don't need much time there, but I would allow a total of 1.5 hours to fully enjoy. There is so much to see and study inside the house and the surrounding property is very beautiful with all the tropical landscaping.

It is very inexpensive to visit and they do offer different discounts, but it is so inexpensive, it is almost unnecessary.

Location is easy to get to, but parking might be a challenge depending on time and day of the week. There is a park just behind that has parking spaces and you can walk across the field to the site. It is a rainy area, so an umbrella might be a good idea...