Historic Site:
Last seat of Hawaiian Sovereignty
'IOLANI PALACE
Honolulu, HI
`Iolani Palace is considered the finest example of American Florentine or Italianate architecture in the world. Artisans were brought from Europe and the US to complete it's neoroccoco details and stylings.
`Iolani Palace was the official residence of the Hawaiian Kingdom's monarchy and is considered the seat of the Hawaiian Sovereignty movement today. Built by King Kalakaua and completed in 1882, The palace featured the very latest in technological advances for it's time including electricity and telephones (even before the White House). The palace was the center of social and political activity in the Kingdom of Hawai`i until the kingdom was illegally overthrown in 1893 by a cabal of American business owners lead by Sanford Dole. Beloved by her subjects, Queen Lili' uokalani was imprisoned at the palace by the gun shod rebels, run by Dole a former Hawaiian Kingdom supreme court justice and other expatriot Americans. Threatening to murder friends and relatives of the Queen, Dole demanded Lili'uokalani abdicate. in order to avoid blood shed and the threat of the US Navy shelling Honolulu, the Queen reluctantly deferred to the US President to resolve the matter. It was later determined by a Presidential investigation that the whole affair was illegal. However, the Rebels established the Republic of Hawaii and refused to reinstate the monarchy. The US continues to occupy the Hawaiian Kingdom, today.
Photos by Kimo
The palace was subject to neglect after the overthrow and legislation was proposed by the newly instituted state government to turn it into a parking lot for the state capital building. Thankfully, do to the diligence of HRH Princess Lili'uokalani Kawananakoa Morris, HRH Princess Abigail Kawananakoa, The Friends of Iolani Palace, and other concerned individuals restoration began in the 1970's through their efforts. Today the palace is a National Historic Landmark and continues to be a platform for Native Hawaiian issues.
Queen Lydia Lili'uokalani
last reigning monarch of Hawai'i
Sept 2, 1838 - Nov 11, 1917
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