Honolulu Has America's Only Royal Palace

America's Only Royal Palace Is in Honolulu

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In a nation founded on rejecting monarchy, there stands a genuine royal palace—complete with thrones, crown jewels, and a tragic history of overthrown kings and queens. ʻIolani Palace in downtown Honolulu is the only official royal residence on American soil.

A Kingdom Before Statehood

Hawaii wasn't always the 50th state. For nearly a century, it was an independent kingdom with its own line of monarchs, diplomatic relations with world powers, and yes, a palace befitting royalty.

King David Kalākaua commissioned ʻIolani Palace in 1879, determined to prove Hawaii's place among the great nations of the world. When it was completed in 1882, the palace was more technologically advanced than the White House—it had electric lights four years before the presidential residence and indoor plumbing before most European palaces.

More Than Just a Building

The palace features:

Throne Room where the king and queen received foreign dignitaries
State Dining Room that seated over 100 guests
The only throne room on American soil
Original Hawaiian crown jewels, including a gold and precious gem crown

King Kalākaua was known as the "Merrie Monarch" for reviving Hawaiian cultural traditions, including hula, which missionaries had suppressed. He threw legendary parties, entertained foreign royalty, and even circumnavigated the globe—the first reigning monarch of any nation to do so.

A Dark Chapter

The palace witnessed tragedy. In 1893, American businessmen backed by U.S. Marines overthrew Queen Liliʻuokalani, Kalākaua's sister and successor. She was imprisoned in an upstairs bedroom of her own palace for nearly eight months.

The queen composed songs during her imprisonment, including "Aloha ʻOe," now one of Hawaii's most beloved melodies. She never regained her throne, though she spent years fighting for her people's sovereignty.

Restoration and Legacy

After serving as the capitol building for the Republic, Territory, and State of Hawaii, ʻIolani Palace was restored to its royal-era grandeur in the 1970s. Today, visitors can tour the very rooms where Hawaii's monarchs held court, see the bedroom where a queen was imprisoned, and stand in America's only throne room.

For Native Hawaiians, the palace remains a powerful symbol—both of their kingdom's achievements and its unjust end. It stands as a reminder that the United States once had a royal family, and their descendants still walk the islands today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the only royal palace in the United States?

ʻIolani Palace in Honolulu, Hawaii is the only official royal residence in the United States. It served as the home of Hawaiian monarchs from 1882 until the overthrow of the monarchy in 1893.

Who lived in ʻIolani Palace?

King David Kalākaua built and lived in ʻIolani Palace, followed by his sister Queen Liliʻuokalani, who was the last reigning monarch of Hawaii before the kingdom was overthrown in 1893.

Can you visit ʻIolani Palace?

Yes, ʻIolani Palace is now a museum open to the public. Visitors can take guided or self-guided audio tours of the restored palace, including the throne room and royal chambers.

Why does Hawaii have a royal palace?

Hawaii was an independent kingdom with its own monarchy from 1795 until 1893, when American businessmen overthrew Queen Liliʻuokalani. The palace was built by King Kalākaua to demonstrate Hawaii's status among world nations.

Did ʻIolani Palace have electricity before the White House?

Yes, ʻIolani Palace was fitted with electric lights in 1887, four years before the White House installed electricity in 1891, making it one of the most modern buildings of its era.