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Iolani Palace
By peace | May 15, 2007
Iolani Palace is the only royal residence located in the United States. It was the official residence of King Kalakaua and Queen Kapi`olani from the time of its completion in 1882 until his death in 1891. His successor, Queen Lili`uokalani, lived in the Palace until the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1893.
The site was first used as a palace in 1845 when King Kamehameha III moved the capitol from Lahaina, Maui to Honolulu. The location may have been chosen because it was the site of an ancient temple. The original name was Hale Ali`i, and was changed to Iolani Palace following the death of Kamehameha IV in 1863. `Iolani was one of the king’s names and means royal hawk — the high flight of the hawk signified royalty. The first palace was torn down in the 1870s because of extensive termite damage.
In 1893, the monarchy came to an end when Queen Lili’uokalani was forced from her throne by a group of American businessmen. The Queen, in order to avoid shedding the blood of her beloved people, surrendered to the United States. The palace became the Capitol for the Republic, Territory (after annexation by the United States), and State of Hawai’i. The Palace was restored to its royal grandeur after the completion of the State Capitol in 1969.
The Queen surrendered to the United States to prevent the bloodshed of her people and hence, Hawaii became a territory of the U.S. The building then served as the Capitol, first for the Territory and then the State. The new State Capitol was built in 1969 and the palace was restored to its royal grandeur.
The ‘Iolani Palace structure that exists today is actually the second ‘Iolani Palace to sit on the palace grounds. The original, simpler structure was built as a home for Princess Victoria Kamamalu. As King Kamehameha the III made the decision to move the seat of Hawaii’s government from Maui to Honolulu, the original structure was torn down and the Palace was built as it stands today.Unfortunately, King Kamehameha III died while abroad and never lived to see his Palace completed. The crown of the Kingdom of Hawaii then passed to David Kalakaua. Kalakaua’s coronation ceremony was held on the palace grounds and was the most fabulous and festive of all ceremonies the tiny kingdom would witness. From that day on, King David Kalakaua along with his Queen, Kapiolani ruled the islands from the palace and reigned for one of the most peaceful and happy periods in Hawaiian history. Today, Iolani Palace is still a centerpiece in the hearts and minds of the Hawaiian people.
Topics: All Posts, Castles, Medieval | 2 Comments »
March 11th, 2010 at 7:16 am
The above message dealing with the Queen surrendering to the United States is false. The US had no power in the islands during the overthrow of the Monarch. Dole and Thurstan were responsible and they were Hawaiian citizens. Think about it, if the US had of had intentions of taking over Hawaiian, they had the power. Why the Republic of Hawaii for any period of time.
April 30th, 2010 at 7:33 am
History speaks for itself. The arrival of the USS Boston with a contingent of bluejackets and US marines, along with John L. Stevens’, US Minister minister in Hawaii, decision on January 16, 1893 to order the troops ashore was a show of US force. The next day the Queen surrendered to avoid bloodshed.
History is history……………………