History
ʻIolani Palace: The Only Royal Palace in the US
ʻIolani Palace in Honolulu is the only official royal residence in the United States. Its history, Queen Liliʻuokalani's imprisonment, and how to visit.
ʻIolani Palace in Honolulu is the only official royal residence used by a reigning monarch on U.S. soil. It was the home of Hawaii's last kings and queens, a symbol of the Kingdom of Hawaii, and later the place where Queen Liliʻuokalani was imprisoned. Today it is a museum and a deeply meaningful historic site in the islands.
The only royal palace in the US
No other building in the United States served as the official home of a reigning king or queen. That distinction makes ʻIolani Palace a powerful reminder that Hawaii was once an independent, internationally recognized nation, not a territory or state.
Kalākaua and a modern palace
The palace was completed in 1882 under King David Kalākaua, sometimes called the Merrie Monarch for his support of hula and the arts. He intended it to show that the kingdom stood among modern nations, and it was outfitted with advances like electric lighting and telephones early in their history.
Liliʻuokalani's imprisonment
After the 1893 overthrow, a failed 1895 attempt by royalists to restore the monarchy led to Queen Liliʻuokalani being held under house arrest in an upstairs room of her own palace. During that confinement she continued to write. The room is preserved as part of the museum experience.
Visiting today
ʻIolani Palace offers guided and self-led tours of its restored rooms. It is a solemn, moving visit that deepens any trip to Honolulu. Book tickets through the official site at iolanipalace.org, and plan the rest of your time with our Oʻahu guide.
Honolulu tours and activities
Guided Honolulu and historic tours that can include downtown landmarks, many with free cancellation.
See Honolulu toursPlanning a Hawaii trip?
Find the best flights and hotels across all islands.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ʻIolani Palace?
Who built ʻIolani Palace?
Was Queen Liliʻuokalani imprisoned there?
We research each guide against primary sources: the Hawaii Tourism Authority and Mālama Hawaii, the National Park Service, the State of Hawaii and its Division of State Parks, the National Weather Service, and the U.S. Census. For culture, language, and history we lean on the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Bishop Museum, and the scholarship of Mary Kawena Pukui. We send readers to those sources rather than speaking over them. When rules, prices, or conditions change, we update the page.