Hawaii Royalty – Places to visit on O’ahu

Unfortunately, sad to say that many visitors to Hawaii do not realize that Hawaii’s rich history includes Hawaiian Royalty. There are many sites throughout the islands where one can learn about this rich history, O’ahu is the home of many of these royal sites.

Probably, the grandest and most well known is the Iolani Palace,  where visitors are invited to take a step into Hawaii’s past-  guided and audio tours are available – Open Tuesday through Saturday – Reservations are suggested as tours are limited in size and number – 1-808-522-0832  – The Palace is located at 364 South King Street – Iolani Palace(completed in 1882) chronicles the reign of  King David Kalakaua and his wife Queen Kapiolani , and later Queen Liliuokalani. King Kalakaua and his queen traveled the world, bringing home tokens of esteem and affection from heads of state around the world.  The story of Hawaii’s Kingdom is told through portraits, show pieces such as the Grand Staircase made from Koa wood (said to be the largest such structure in the world) , visitors are asked to wear booties over their shoes as they move from room to room on magnificently restored Douglas fir floors, the dining room is set as if waiting for guests to arrive for state dinner. One sad fact in Hawaii’s royal history is that the Hawaiian monarch was overthrown in 1893, and the new provisional government could not wait to toss the treasures of the king and his queen, but luckily the Friends of the Palace organization have searched the world trying to acquire as many of the original artifacts as possible and restore the Palace to her original glory for visitors from around the world to see.

Nearby the Iolani Palace, you will find Washington Place, the home of Queen Liliuokalani before she ascended to the thrown in 1891, she wrote of her home in her book “Hawaii’s Story by Hawaii’s Queen “.

Mauna Ala -(fragrant mountain)  after Albert’s death, Kamehameha IV ordered a new mausoleum to house his son, the royal grounds are very close to Summer Palace – Mauna Ala is the final resting place of the Who’s who of Hawaiian Royalty.  Mauna Ala Royal Mausoleum is located 2261 Nuuanu Ave., Honolulu   – Open 8am-4pm – Monday-Friday

My personal favorite of all the Royal Residences by far is Queen Emma’s Summer Palace – a graceful home set against the lush backdrop of Nuuanu Valley. Sadly, the palace had fallen into disrepair and almost became a baseball field, but luckily the  Daughters of Hawaii intervened in 1915 turned the home into the showplace it is today. The palace is located about three miles from downtown, filled with beautiful artifacts including some originals to Queen Emma and her husband King Kamehameha IV and was used  to escape from Honolulu’s heat in the summer. The saddest thing for me and always brings me to tears is the beautiful cradle in which the king and queen’s son, Prince Albert slept (who sadly passed away at the sweet age of four) they say the bedroom where the cradle sits overlooks the Royal Mausoleum below where the child is buried, as a mother, I just always feel the grief Queen Emma must have felt over the death of her young son, but the peace of being able to look below to his final resting place. Queen Emma’s Summer Palace is located 2913 Pali Highway, Honolulu (808) 595-3167

Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum  one of the best places in all of Hawaii to be introduced to Royal bloodlines, culture, and the rich history of the Kingdom of Hawaii – located 1525 Bernice Street (808) 847-3511

For more information or to book your visit to O’ahu Contact: Linda Dancer

Direct Line 931-337-0770 – Toll Free 1-888-811-1888 ext 331  Email  [email protected]