Iolani Palace

Landmark: Iolani Palace

Address: 364 South King Street

Telephone: (808) 538-1471

Latitude: 21,2657

Longitude: 157,85

Description: “This is landmark name. It is Iolani Palace” No other state has a royal palace. The first “Iolani Palace” a one-storied building of coral rocks, was built in 1845. 5 kings reigned there; Kamehameha III, IV, and V, Lunalio and Kalakaua.

In 1878,the building was torn down and next year the second palace was begun. It was completed in 1882 and was home to King Kalakaua, and his sister and successor, Queen Lili uokalani.

The name of Iolani Palace symbolizes the high and supreme power of the alii, descendents of the gods. Construction of the present palace cost almost $350,000, huge amount of money in that era. It is European influences is very obvious, but the woodwork reflects the use of a combination of Oregon white cedar, American walnut and Hawaiian koa, kou, ohia and kamani. King Kalakaus`s travels to Europe enabled him to bring back beautiful crystal chandeliers, which still hang in the palace today.

It was the first palace in the world to have flush toilets. The palace was also the first building in Hawaii to have electric lights and telephone.

The palace, the King’s Jubilee, and the King’s coronation were to the minds of Hawaii’s haole business leasers, shameless extravagances and added to the business community’s anti-monarchy sentiment.

The Hawaiian Monarchy was overthrown in 1893 by American business and sugar planters under the protection of the American Consul and armed United States Marines. Iolani Palace became the seat of government for the provisional Government and was renamed the “Executive Building.”

In 1894, the republic of Hawaii was established. In 1895, following an unsuccessful counter-revolution led by supporters of the Queen, Lili uokalani was charged with and convicted of misprision of reason and placed under house arrest in a room on the second story of the palace where she had once ruled the nation.

Argument; I think that this is a landmark because Iolani palace is very significant building for the Hawaiian people. No other state has a royal place. It represents the Hawaii and the Hawaiian monarchy. From 1893 to 1968, Iolani palace was used as the capital of the republic, the Territory, and finally the State of Hawaii. Still now you can visit to the Iolani Palace and see history of the building.

Submitted-By: Kiyomi Kanazawa, Geog 366 Spring 2003.