ʻIolani Palace in downtown Honolulu is the only official state residence used by a reigning monarch on U.S. soil, built in 1882 for King Kalākaua in the American Florentine style as the seat of the Hawaiian Kingdom. After the 1893 overthrow of the monarchy it served for nearly 80 years as the capitol of the territory and later the state of Hawaiʻi, and since 1978 it has operated as a museum run by the nonprofit Friends of ʻIolani Palace. As of 2026, docent-led and self-guided audio tours continue to run Tuesday through Saturday, with online reservations recommended because daily capacity is limited. Visitors should approach the palace not just as a historic house tour but as a site deeply tied to Native Hawaiian sovereignty and a painful chapter of the islands' history.
The grand koa-wood staircase and the Throne Room, where royal regalia and state artifacts are displayed
The State Dining Room and Blue Room, used for formal royal receptions
The upstairs room where Queen Liliʻuokalani was imprisoned after the 1893 overthrow
The Coronation Pavilion and ʻIolani Barracks on the palace grounds
Basement galleries housing the royal crown jewels and portraits of Hawaiʻi's monarchs
Good to know
RulesShoe coverings provided by the palace are mandatory inside; personal photos are allowed but flash photography, video/audio recording, tripods, monopods, and selfie sticks are prohibited.
RulesChildren under 5 must be in a palace-provided stroller or front carrier, or holding an adult's hand at all times — personal strollers are not permitted inside the building.
MannersThis is a sacred site to Native Hawaiians directly tied to the 1893 overthrow of the kingdom; avoid swimwear or beachwear and keep a respectful, quiet tone, especially in the Throne Room and the Queen's imprisonment room.
SeasonTours run Tuesday through Saturday only (closed Sunday and Monday), and Hawaiʻi's tropical climate brings sudden brief showers year-round, so carry light rain gear for the walk between the ticket office and the palace.
RulesDaily tickets are limited and time slots can sell out during peak periods (summer, holidays), so book online in advance rather than relying on walk-up availability.
CautionBuy tickets only through the official iolanipalace.org site or the on-site ticket office; unaffiliated tour resellers and street vendors near Waikīkī sometimes advertise "royal palace tours" at inflated prices that have no real connection to palace admission.
SafetyParking in downtown Honolulu is limited and metered — use the palace's designated lot or a nearby paid garage, and avoid leaving valuables visible inside a rental car anywhere in the area.
Practical info
ʻIolani Palace is roughly a 20-30 minute drive or rideshare from Honolulu International Airport (HNL), and just a short trip from Waikīkī by rental car, rideshare, or TheBus. Admission is ticket-based with several tour formats (self-guided audio, docent-led, and specialty theme tours), so always check current hours, prices, and tour availability on the official website before visiting.
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