Iolani
Palace in downtown Honolulu, is the former home of Hawaii's
kings and queens -- the only royal palace in the United
States. Standing four stories high, the 10-room palace
took four years to complete and nearly bankrupted the
Hawaiian kingdom. It was built in a style architects call
American Florentine. After the overthrow of the Hawaiian
monarchs, the palace became the capital.
The palace, where royalty lived for only 11 years, was
restored in 1978, and you can now visit the mirrored and
gilded throne room with the original thrones and a spectacular
three-story stairwell but only on a guided tour that is
a bit pricey but a must for those who want to experience
Hawaiian history.
While you're downtown in Honolulu, you might want to
stop by the beautiful black and gold Kamehameha Statue
honoring Kamehameha The Great (1795-1819), who began the
monarchy of Hawaii and united the Hawaiian Islands. The
statue, which stands in front of St. Andrews Church, was
shipped from France and then re-assembled in Hawaii.
The statue is in front of St. Andrews church because
King Kamehameha IV fell in love with the architecture
of the Church of England and founded the Anglican Church
or Hawaii. You'll want to go inside the church to view
the amazing handblown stained-glass with murals of Hawaiian
dignitaries and monarchs.
