ʻIolani Palace Palace
Royal Hawaiian palace and former monarchy residence
In downtown Honolulu, ʻIolani Palace was the official residence of Hawaiian monarchs and is the only royal palace on U.S. soil; visitors tour restored state rooms, view royal artifacts and learn about the 1893 overthrow.
ʻIolani Palace at a Glance#
Address: 364 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96813, United States
Website: https://www.iolanipalace.org/
Hours: Mon-Sat 9am-4pm (last entry 3pm), closed Sundays and public holidays
Admission: USD 20 (adult), USD 16 (senior), USD 6 (child) - prices subject to change
About ʻIolani Palace#
ʻIolani Palace is the official royal residence of the Hawaiian monarchy in downtown Honolulu, completed in 1882 and later converted to a museum. It is the only royal palace on United States soil and is a central historic landmark of modern Hawaiian history.
Guided tours lead through restored interior rooms and exhibitions that display objects, royal regalia and interpretive material about the monarchy and the 1893 overthrow. The site also includes adjacent historic structures and landscaped grounds that form the palace complex.
Built under King Kalākaua as a modern royal residence, the palace served the monarchy until the end of the Hawaiian Kingdom; it was later used for government offices and underwent an extensive restoration in the 20th century to return much of the interior to its historic appearance.
The palace sits in downtown Honolulu between the Hawaii State Capitol and other civic buildings, easily reached from most parts of the city and served by local transport.
- Completion date: The palace was completed in 1882 and served as the official royal residence of the Hawaiian monarchy.
- Unique status: It is the only royal palace on U.S. soil and is operated as a museum with guided tours of interior rooms and exhibitions.
What to See#
- Palace building: The restored palace building contains historic rooms and exhibition spaces that interpret the Hawaiian monarchy; original interior features were returned during a multi-decade restoration programme.
- Iolani Barracks and grounds: The adjacent Iolani Barracks and the grounds form part of the historic complex and are often included in guided site tours.
How to Get to ʻIolani Palace#
ʻIolani Palace sits in downtown Honolulu, a short walk from the Aloha Tower and other central landmarks. From Waikiki allow 15-25 minutes by car or bus (TheBus routes connect central Honolulu to the palace); on foot it is around a 25-35 minute walk from Waikiki.
Tips for Visiting ʻIolani Palace#
- Buy timed‑entry tickets online to avoid long lines, especially during peak tourist months.
- Join a guided tour to see the throne room and the palace's interior stories; guided tours are offered regularly.
- Combine a visit with a walk through ʻIolani Palace grounds and the nearby Mission Houses for a broader picture of Hawaiian monarchy history.
Best Time to Visit ʻIolani Palace#
ʻIolani Palace is visitable year‑round; mid‑week mornings are best to avoid crowds and get a quieter tour experience.
Weather & Climate near ʻIolani Palace#
ʻIolani Palace's climate is classified as Hot Semi-Arid - Hot Semi-Arid climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 18°C to 31°C. Abundant rainfall (1016 mm/year), wettest in April.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Excellent | 19° - 27° | 23° | 133 mm | some cloud | 75% | 4.2 m/s | 1.3 high | 10.9h |
| February | Excellent | 18° - 27° | 23° | 70 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 4.3 m/s | 1.6 very high | 11.3h |
| March | Excellent | 19° - 28° | 24° | 105 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 4.8 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.9h |
| April | Very Good | 20° - 28° | 24° | 141 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 4.9 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.5h |
| May | Excellent | 21° - 29° | 25° | 56 mm | some cloud | 74% | 4.7 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 13.0h |
| June | Ideal | 22° - 30° | 26° | 42 mm | some cloud | 74% | 4.8 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 13.3h |
| July | Excellent | 23° - 31° | 27° | 51 mm | some cloud | 74% | 5.0 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 13.2h |
| August | Ideal | 23° - 31° | 29° | 33 mm | some cloud | 74% | 4.8 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 12.7h |
| September | Excellent | 23° - 31° | 27° | 56 mm | some cloud | 74% | 4.4 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.2h |
| October | Excellent | 22° - 30° | 26° | 96 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 4.3 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.5h |
| November | Very Good | 21° - 29° | 25° | 127 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 4.4 m/s | 1.3 high | 11.0h |
| December | Excellent | 20° - 28° | 24° | 106 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 4.2 m/s | 1.1 high | 10.7h |