I had the unfortunate experience of doing this for a second time. In 2014 we did not have an audio tour and learned a lot more. They have sold the Kalakaua diamond. I guess money wins every time. The kitchen area is no longer a kitchen. It's a mess in history continuity. Before items that were recovered had a back story. No longer are these being told. In fact no mention of their sale. I am assuming that reproductions have been added instead of original pieces that haven't been found because of this omission. read more

Iolani Palace was designated a National Historic Monument Landmark in 1962. At that time, the palace was utilized by the state government as office space. When they moved out and funding was set up, a slow process of restoration was begun. In 1978 the palace was opened for tours. I would recommend this tour highly as a must see. I absolutely loved it. The history and our tour guide was clear, informative, and answered detailed questions from several in our group. We were a large group of about 22 people, but it did not take away from making this such a fun day for my girlfriend and myself . One interesting fact is that some of the royal family remains on the island. Princess Abigail Kawananakoa is still living in her 90's and has been lately in the news. For this reason alone, it is worth seeing this place as she has been paying the power bill for the palace for quite some time. IT runs $30,000/month. This may end and who knows who will be able to pay that bill. It makes me wonder if the tours could become more rare or the price increased dramatically . I would not recommend this tour for little children. read more

See all

This was a must see! Since we were told to be there 30 minutes early, we watched the 15 minute video about the king and queens of Hawaii which was very interesting and kept us out of the son. The tour is self-led, so we could listen to the 14 different parts of the tour at our own pace. It took us about 45 min to an hour to complete the entire tour-- both floors. If you love history, this is the place for you. I would say that this might not be the best tour for young children since it is a long tour without a lot of room to run or play. You have to be quiet and listen through headphones about the different rooms. Older children would definitely enjoy! read more

We enjoyed our tour. We learned a lot.it was interesting to learn about Hawaiian history and the unfortunate events that took place just before the turn of the last century. Our tour guide was very personable and knowledgeable. read more

Great Hawaiian history lots of great information a must see if you are visiting Waikiki

Great tour with audio! Had to knock down the experience a star though because it was confusing where to park and enter the grounds, even after reading the website, and also where to get your ticket. A map and/or a few signs on the grounds would be extremely helpful. read more

This palace is not the biggest but it sure has great history about the Hawaiian kingdoms! Easy layout: *First floor: living room, dining room, staircase, and the throne room *Second fl: king's apartment and queen's apartment. The balconies were closed (in 9/2016) *Basement: gallery with cool pictures of the original palace and restorations When the kingdom was overthrown, they sold the original furniture at auctions so they had to search for similar furniture to recreate the former look Because it is a non profit organization, they restore it little by little as funds allow. The first floor is in immaculate condition. On the second, you can see some ceiling paint starting to come off. The Queen and the King's bedroom were completed around 2011. The $14.75 fee includes the self guided audio tour which is very well made and gives you option to hear just the highlights or go more into details. It's $20 for the guided tour but I don't think it's necessary as the self guided is easy to follow. $7 is the price for the basement only if you just want to see pictures (not recommended) Lucia is a wonderful volunteer with so much passion and knowledge. It was such a treat talking to her! There's Parking in the back and you can also take some buses nearby to Waikiki. Definitely recommend if you like history and culture! read more

See all

I finally got to take a tour of the Iolani Palace with my family. It was so informational about the history of this palace and the Kings and Queens roles of Hawaii. I've never paid too much attention in History class when I was younger so I didn't know too much specifically. Our tour guide, Hardy was awesome and knew a lot about the history of Iolani Palace. He took us to several different floors and rooms and explained some facts about each room and the people in each painting. I was surprised how much original pieces they have there. I'm still pissed about those guys who vandalized the palace's original front door windows sometime a year ago. Now they have a wooden board up covering those damages because they can't find anyone for now to fix such an old window with etchings in them. Definitely take a tour to educate yourself. They don't go into details on everything about the overthrow etc, but enough to be interested. The tour is about a little over an hour long. There's ample meter parking that ONLY takes quarters. There are no flashes from cameras, outside food and water allowed. You'd have to check in at Hale Koa which is that cement building next to the palace with all the crosses on them. read more

See all

This place is a MUST SEE if you want to know more about the Royal heritage of the Hawaiian islands. We were so glad we chose to visit this lovely palace. read more

COVID guidelines have made this a tedious docent tour. Face masks are required for everyone, including the docent. I don't have a problem with the face masks themselves. Unfortunately, it was very difficult to hear and understand the docent as she described events and rooms in the Palace. Perhaps she should place a microphone under her mask so that people can hear her. In addition, there were two fussy babies, whose mothers finally took them out of the room, but that made it even more difficult to understand the docent. I recommend that the staff at Iolani Palace put signs at the entrances to the grounds and at the barracks that indicate the barracks are where tour checkins are located. We did a lot of back and forth because there was no signage about where to go first. The palace itself was beautiful. read more

A MUST to visit Iolani Palace during your stay on Oahu to get a better understanding of Hawaiian history and the overthrow of the Hawaiian Monarchy. On this trip back to the islands, I wanted to show my boyfriend (an Angeleno) and my younger brother (local Hawaii student on spring break) one of the most beautiful and historical sites on Oahu. The guided tour fees are a little pricier, however, it was worth having a tour guide who was wise and knowledgeable in terms of the history and culture of Hawaii. I could also tell that sharing these stories to visitors was something important to the tour guide. I hadn't been to the palace in over 10 years. This time around, the restoration project was complete and we got to view the first and second floors of the palace! The basement area (art gallery) was also open for viewing. read more

This palace tells the history of the last queen of the Hawaiian islands. Iolani palace is a must see! Beautiful palace that allows you to walk inside and upstairs and view the various rooms. They also have period clothing in the rooms to view. There is a self guided tour and also helpful guides. Be sure to visit the basement to see the jewels! read more

This a must-do whether you are a tourist or kamaāina. The palace grounds are well kept but I just think everyone who visits or lives in Hawai'i needs to be educated about Hawaiian history and the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawai'i. When I went on the tour, our guide was very knowledgeable and did not sugar coat anything about the overthrow and annexation, which I appreciated... it's important to have an accurate account of history so that people learn the negative ways how US imperialism affected the lives of Native Hawaiians and other groups that were colonized. The artifacts are interesting to see and especially the quilt that the queen made while she was imprisoned. I highly recommend visiting Iolani Palace. read more

Once a month is Kama'aina Sunday's (FREE) and upon arrival the tour guide tours in the morning were full so we got the first self-guided audio tour for the day. While waiting for that to start, we watched the intro video, explored the basement, took photos of the outside of the palace and even wondered over to the state capitol. The audio tour allowed us to go at our own pace throughout the palace. The tour was informative and a great way to learn some of Hawaii's history. read more

See all

This tour is well woth doing. It takes some planning ahead to reserve a tour but I am glad we did. The palace is beautiful and we learned so much about the history of Hawaii. read more

Such a grand place to visit when on Oahu, Hawaii. Iolani Palace is phenomenally remarkable and so rich in Hawaiian culture. What better way to indulge in Hawaiian history and learn about the royal family and their influence in Hawaii. On a certain Sunday every month, Kama'aina (locals) get to tour for free. They opened at 9 but we weren't able to get there for the next couple hours, tickets are limited so I prayed that we would score 3 spots. We arrived around 11 and the girl at the gift shop put us in the earliest open spot at 12:20. During that time I showed my family around the outside of the palace, my secret lunch spots hehe, watched a 20 minute video, toured the basement and waited til 12:10 when we were supposed to meet at the bottom of the steps. Hubby and I have been here a few times so it was merely an educational experience for my son. After getting a go from the worker at the top of the stairs, we made our way up. We sat on benches, were explained a few rules, put on these microfiber covers for our shoes, put on a self guided head set and audio remote. Bags and water are allowed, however bags must be carried in the front to prevent anything from being knocked down and water should be stored inside. You don't have to tour in numerical order. Each room has a number on a sign. Play it on your audio set and learn about what happens in each room. Take your time, it's no rush! Once you exit, aunty on the left will collect your headset, audio remote, and microfiber covers to be recycled. read more

See all

This place totally made my family feel safe during covid. Other places are so crowded and social distancing isn't followed properly. I want to thank the staff for making this tour so wonderful read more

Well, I didn't expect to cry during a museum tour, but I did! The history of the monarchy of the Kingdom of Hawaii was so moving. This is such a worthwhile visit if you come to Oahu. We did the audio tour and our entire family enjoyed it. My kids, who are 11 and 6, were really into it. I wasn't sure if they would be bored because the audio tour shares a lot of history and it's a lot of "old stuff" that's explained. But they were engaged the entire time. We easily signed up online, and there was enough parking in the metered lot just behind the palace. We went on a Friday afternoon during Spring Break, and it was not as crowded as I thought it would be. We were given hospital booties to go over our shoes to keep the floors clean. Staff was attentive but kind with the COVID protocols. There's even an elevator up to the 2nd floor for those who have a tough time with the main staircase. Overall, the items in the palace are exquisite and well preserved. There are more artifacts and a few exhibits in the basement, which they direct you to after the audio tour concludes. Don't miss this part because there are quite a few things here not mentioned during the tour at all. Between our visit here and our stay at the Sheraton Princess Ka'iulani Hotel, my respect for the history and culture of Hawai'i has really deepened. I am inspired to buy a book about the political history of Hawai'i and read even more now. read more

If you're looking to learn about the Hawaiian monarchy, I would recommend coming here. Tickets to the palace are located in another building to the left of the palace. Didn't realize that the self guided tours start at noon, so I ended up getting the guided tour. I would recommend the guided tour over the self guided tour. The guided tour does cost more, but it was well worth it! The tour guide was very informative and she knew so much about the history of the monarchy. The guided tour is about 90 minutes. After the tour, go to the basement of the palace and check out the art gallery. On Friday, they have a free concert by the Royal Hawaiian Band. It starts at noon on Friday on the lawn of the palace. The concert is an hour. It was great to hear traditional Hawaiian music. Plus, some history is provided regarding the music that is performed. read more

Iolani Palace - Front entrance of Lolani Palace - Museums Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

We did the docent led tour and it was worth it! Our docent was very knowledgeable and personable. The Palace is beautiful and the history is amazing! I loved learning about Hawaiian history that we aren't taught in schools here in the U.S. Iolani Palace is a must see during any trip to the Hawaiian islands! read more

My family and I did the Chamberlain tour at Iolani palace--an extra expense, but absolutely so worth it! Our tour guide was engaging, funny, knowledgeable, and a great storyteller. We had a blast getting up close and personal (but no touching lol) with some of the artifacts in the Palace collection, and getting to see parts of the Palace not generally available to the public. Also, I won't spoil the surprise but there is a really great and thoughtful souvenir that they give you at the end of the Chamberlain tour. Definitely worth the visit, especially if you're interested in history. read more

*************************************Review #900************************************** Review #900 goes to one of Hawaii's important landmarks, and the only palace in the United States, Iolani Palace.... I was looking forward to touring the Iolani Palace on my recent return home since I had NEVER been inside the palace and the fact that they now allow(NO FLASH) photography made me even more anxious! I snapped over 200 photos alone to give readers an idea of what's inside. Of course as they say, pictures don't do any justice than actually being inside the palace, but this is the next best thing! This is a really great way to get an inside look of Hawaiian history and culture, to see how the Ali'i(Hawaiian Royalty) lived life before sadly being overthrown in 1893 and finally becoming a U.S. territory against their own will in 1959. In 1993, one hundred years after the annexation of the Hawaiian Monarchy, former president Bill Clinton issued a formal apology to the Native Hawaiian people. I'm just going to touch up on a few things, but go to www.iolanipalace.org to learn about the history and events surrounding Iolani Palace. Tickets for tours are available at the Hale Koa Building(to the left of the palace which also used to house the Royal Guards) Guided Tours:*Reservations Required!* Tue-Thur. 9-10 am Fri-Sat. 9-11:15 am Adults $21.75 Kama'aina $16.75 Child(5-12) $6 Group Tour(10 or more) $16.75/guest Children under 5 are not admitted Audio Tours: Mon. 9-4 pm Tue-Thur. 10:30-4 pm Fri-Sat. 12-4 pm Adults $14.75 Child(5-12) $6 Group Tour(10 or more) $11.75/guest Children under 5 are not admitted After purchasing your tickets, be sure to watch the short video to get an idea of the history and background about the Hawaiian Monarchy and the palace itself before you enter. It is very informative and helpful. It was later in the day and we missed the guided tours, so we went with the audio route which was fine. You are led to the back of the palace where you will be briefed by the workers on do's and don'ts inside, then you put on booties to cover your footwear to prevent damage from the palace floor. If you are a fan of American Florentine Architecture, the Iolani Palace is a MUST in your itinerary. This palace was built with one of the first ever telephones, electricity,(even before Buckingham Palace) and state of the art baths and restrooms of their time. As you first enter the palace from the back, I noticed that the door knobs are mysteriously lower than standard door knob height. One of the workers say until this day, there is no definite answer as to why they were installed at such a lower height. Also on the first floor is the Grand Staircase, Throne Room, Blue Room, and the State Dining Room. Portraits of The Hawaiian Ali'i and various gifts and artifacts from all over the world decorate the first floor, and just the little details that you see in every direction you look are so intricate-The ceiling, light fixtures, etched glass, grand staircase, and even the door hinges and hidden keyholes! Details everywhere! Taking a look around, it gave me a sense of how educated King Kalakaua and Queen Kapiolani were, reading and learning about their many travels and accomplishments during their reign as Hawaii's King and Queen. As you take the elevator to the second floor, you get to take a peek in the Gold Room(AKA Music Room), King's Library, King's Bedroom, Queen's Bedroom, and the heartbreaking Prison Room which holds Queen Liliuokalani's(King Kalakaua's Sister, who succeeded the throne after King Kalakaua's passing) Quilt which she made during her imprisonment inside her own palace....So sad...:( Elaborate gifts and artifacts decorate each room as well, so take your time and observe each and every inch of each room! Do not forget to take the basement tour as well, where you get to see the kitchen, the photo gallery, and the jewelry collection of the King and Queen. A gift shop is also available downstairs to purchase souvenirs. Whether you're a local or a visitor to Oahu, Iolani Palace is worth a visit that should not be missed...ALOHA!!! read more

See all

I found it very interesting to learn about the royalty of Hawaii and more of Hawaii's history. Our guided tour took about an hour and we explored the basement another half hour after. The guides really know their stuff and you can tell they're extremely interested in sharing the history. I learned so much About things I was never aware of. If you like history, this is a must see stop. read more

See all

In Celebration of Her Majesty Queen Kapiolani's 182nd Birthday Iolani Palace Evening Tours December 28 & 29, 2016 Presented by Princess Abigail K. K. Kawananakoa & The Friends of Iolani Palace Wait in line almost 2 hours but was worth it. No VIP for me. The evening tour was awesome love the show the dancing the music the very informative guides. The grounds lit up at night. read more

See all

I don't know if it's just me, but Iolani Palace has always been one of those places that I've been around so much, but never actually done the actual tour. Well, that's finally changed! We parked at a metered spot in the garage under the Capitol building, and walked next door to the Palace. When we tried to buy tour tickets at the Iolani Barracks, it turned out we had to wait over an hour before our group could go in -- I wish we'd called ahead or something!! So we paid the $15pp and wandered around and waited until it was our time. TIP: While you are waiting, you can check out the basement galleries, or walk across the street to the Ali'Iolani Hale and take some pictures with King Kamehameha, or check out the Judiciary History Center inside. When it's finally time for the tour, you get to put on little booties over your shoes and they give you an iPod that runs their audio-tour app, and you make your way through the Palace. NOTE: they don't allow you to bring strollers inside, to keep the floors clean, but they can provide a basic stroller that only stays inside the Palace. read more

Iolani Palace - Throne Room - Museums Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

See all

The best way to see the main rooms and upper floor of the Palace is to go on a docent guided tour (which costs about $21.50 for adults, $5 for children over 5). It is a good idea to make reservations ahead of time because the tours can get booked up quickly. The knowledgeable docents provide a great history and context that adds a certain sadness to the beautiful setting. You can also do a self-guided audio tour for cheaper ($14.50 per person). Gallery tours of the basement, which features the compound's kitchen, the Chamberlain's office, and a number of displays of royal regalia and jewelry, are self-guided and cost $7.50 for admission. I paid $14.50 for both "basement" & "top floor" with Kamai'na. They do allow you to take pictures in the palace, so that was a bonus, because many of the other historical sites do not. It was an easy tour, interesting to learn about the history of the monarchy and how the palace was originally set up as a compound. Periodically open on Sundays for Kama'aina Sunday. The only downside is there is no free brochure that contains a map of the floor plans. USEFUL: **Parking is located in a tiny lot adjacent to the palace. **There is also metered parking a few blocks away. **It's $14.50 (Kamai'na or Military) per adult for the palace and additional $7.50 for the basement gallery exhibits. **Children 4 and under allowed only in the Basement Gallery (in the company of an adult). **Prices: Guided tour $22 adults $6 children 5-12 Audio tour $15 adults $6 children 5-12 Gallery tour $7.50 adults $3 children 5-12 **Hours: Monday to Saturday: 9am to 4pm The Palace is open from Monday through Saturday, with hours varying depending upon the type of tour you take. The Palace is closed on Sunday except for noted Kama'aina Sundays. It is also closed on the following holidays: New Year's Day, Indepedence Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. read more

See all

Okay this is more like a 3.5 stars, but since I'm vacation, I'll be a little nicer. Parking is super hard to find without some quarters, you probably need a good couple of hours. Instead, we parked in the suggested place by the website. It's pretty cheap - $3 for the first 2 hours and then $1.50 for each next half hour. You buy tickets in the barracks. If you have extra time, check out the video that talks briefly about the history of Hawaii and its monarchs before the Iolani Palace. Pro: Quite a bit history behind the place Audio tour provides lots of information regarding each room Jewelry and other items in the basement room Con: Shoe Covers are super uncomfortable over flipflops Some of the rooms are sparsely decorated Overall, I suggest this place to a visitor who wants to see what Hawaii was like before the United States annexed the state. We can see what the people were like and the monarchy. Super cool. read more

See all

THE ONLY residence of ROYALTY in the United States and it's open for tours! Io= hawk, lani= royalty/heavenly, thus 'Iolani or "Heavenly Hawk," Palace is a great national historical landmark to visit. It represents a link to ancient Hawaiian traditions & culture. Built in 1882 by King Kalākaua, Hawaii's last king, it replaced a much smaller palace, and it had quite a few pioneering conveniences for its time. Matter of fact, It was the FIRST "palace" (or house of country's leader) in the world to power its light fixtures by electricity! All of this to prove to the world how strong & culturally advanced the Hawaii Kingdom was. After the Hawaiian Monarchy was overthrown in 1893, the palace served as the Executive Building for five succeeding forms of government until 1969, when the new capitol building was built. Although it was declared a landmark of national importance in 1962, It wasn't until 1969 when State offices moved out, that a massive restoration project began under the guidance of The Friends of 'Iolani Palace. The palace finally opened for tours in 1973. Still undergoing the restoration process, gone is the Victorian style of organized clutter as depicted by the numerous pictures displayed within the palace. A much simpler look now permeates the palace. To visit, remember to bring a pocket full of quarters to pay for parking meters in the surrounding streets (1hr limit) or in front of the palace (4 hr limit). All the outside signs say to purchase tour tickets at the "HALE KOA" which is the 'Iolani Barracks, located on the Richards St. side of the palace grounds. The audio guided tour costs $14.75 and that includes the basement. As there is currently a lack of informational junkets and room maps to explain many of the details, the audio tour is very helpful. The supervising staff inside will also provide insight and are quite approachable. The basement should be visited as it is there where priceless artifacts are now housed. There are tours with live guides to offer a fuller experience if you so choose. Kama'aina = locals day, occurs EVERY SECOND SUNDAY of the month, as per palace staff. read more

See all

We walked three miles to visit this palace and it was perfect! I learned about the kings and queens of Hawaii while on a guided audio tour, which was great. The palace is beautiful. Every room is exquisite. The pictures of royalty made me feel like I knew them. So pretty! I would love to go back and visit again! read more

See all

Audio tour is great and staggered start times keep the tour small and quaint. Palace is in very good condition. No knowledge necessary prior to start, in-depth audio tour provides all the history! I have to say 3 stars because this is an expensive attraction. To put it in perspective we paid more to get in to this than for the Roman coliseum. read more

Beautiful place. Docent very knowledgeable and good to know some of the history of Hawaii. Loved see the rooms of the palaces and costumes reproduction. Worth it to stop in basement to see the jewelry. read more

See all

Even King James of the world champion Clevelend Cavaliers doesn't have a palace. The only royal palace in the US is the Iolani Palace. Although over 130 years old, the palace and grounds are so well preserved and kept that you will get a true feeling of how it was like to live as royalty in the late 19th century Hawaii. It was definitely a worthwhile and informative visit. You can purchase your tickets for a self-led audio tour ($14.75) or a guided tour ($21.75) online or in the Iolani Barracks building which is the building next door to the palace. Give yourself around and hour for the tour. My wife and I did the self tour and listened to all the audio and it took us right around the suggested time. There is limited parking on the property but the palace is easily accessible by The Bus, as this area is a major hub for many stops. The palace is pristine and is preserved so close to its original state that it feels like you are transported back to the time of the monarchy and King Kalakaua could appear at any moment. I thought that it was very impressive that this palace in the middle of the Pacific Ocean had amenities like plumbing, electricity, and telephones well before other areas of the world during that same time. All of the social rooms are on the lower floor and the bedrooms are upstairs. After you're done absorbing all the information, you can head to the gift shop in the barracks building for some souvenirs or just hang out and snap some pictures in one of the shaded seating areas on the grounds. read more

See all

I was VERY VERY VERY impressed by this place. I took advantege of the free museum day which comes once a month. Try check out the website for more details. When we got there the docents told us to go and get tickets at another building to the rear of the property. That was fine. When we finally got in line, that was well organized too. The funny booties over our shoes was a nice, funny, and VERY protective touch. I like that they are really trying to preserve what is there. I learned a lot about Hawaii's history and about Queen Lilioukalani being imprisoned inside this palace. How horrible. Nuff said. I was in awe of how worldly the Hawaiian Royalty was and how many connections they had to the continental US and the WORLD in fact. It was really a great history lesson by our great docent. The only downfall was the vagrants that were around. Our GREAT docent was pretty knowledgeable I was impressed! 024/365 on the YELP CHALLENGE! read more

I went last week with my husband and three children to the self guided audio tour. It was beautiful and very well done. The audio tour provides freedom to rewind and listen again and go at my own speeds. Well worth the money and important for all to know this story and the legacy of the Hawaiian Kingdom. read more

Came here on Kama'aina Sunday! Free for anyone with a state id on the first Sunday. We got the free tour but a sweet lady who knew so much history! It feels so powerful to be in there and you can feel the history! You can't touch anything not even the walls but its just so awesome to be in some where with so much hawaiian history. I definitely recomend this for EVERYONE! read more

Iolani Palace - Booties you must wear to enter palace. - Museums Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

'Iolani Palace is a must see if you're in Hawaii. If you're a local, most second Sundays of each month are designated as Kama'aina Sundays and include free admission with a Hawaii State ID. You first purchase your tickets in the barracks located to the left of the palace (if you're facing the entrance). Ticket purchases are through the Palace Shop. If you have time before your guided tour (there is also a self-led audio tour), there is a video you may watch across from the Palace Shop. You meet for your tour in the courtyard of the barracks. A staff member will escort you to the back of the palace where the tour starts. After walking up the stairs, another staff member will stamp your ticket and ask you to sit at one of the many benches. They'll pass our booties for you to cover your shoes, to avoid damaging the floors. During the guided tour, a docent will take you through all rooms in the palace, which are 9 rooms on the first and second floor. The docents go through the information quickly but will gladly answer any questions. The tour lasted about an hour, then you can explore the basement at your own pace. There's more security now than the last time I visited, probably due to the incident last month. Again, great place for locals and tourists to visit at least once. read more

See all

If you are a history buff or just curious what the inside of a palace might be like, this is the place! Each time I visit (at about 5 year intervals) the Palace has more elaborate and a more extensive collection of the late 1800's original furnishings and decor. The Palace history itself and history of the Hawaiian monarchy is presented well. read more

I had such a wonderful time. we opted for the docent led tour and our guide was amazing. We watched a very informative video before our tour. It really made everything our guide said just come to life. I was so touched by this experience. I could not resist stopping by the gift shop afterwards and purchased a photograph book of the history of Hawaii. read more

I loved everything about this except the cranky woman who sold me my ticket at the office. This woman was so cranky if I was not interested in seeing this palace, I would have changed my mind about going. I came in early and she was not interested in even speaking to me, then told me I had to wait two hours to go on an audio tour. When I came back, she repeated her obliviously ignorant attitude. This woman needs to be replaced or counseled for her customer service skills. If she represents the palace, she is lacking in enthusiasm for it! The others in the palace more than made up for this gift shop ticket sellers lack of finesse. I enjoyed the tour and left with a new appreciation for Hawaiian history. What a lovely place, glad I stuck around. read more

Royalty Reigns I booked this tour months in advance ,as I read it can be a hard place to get into without doing so. We found parking in a near by lot on Alakea St. Be sure to check the hourly rates . We initially drove into one that was $10 an hour and quickly exited. There was a lot across the street that was more wallet friendly. We had to pick up our tickets in the gift shop that's housed In a small building next to the palace. We met our tour liaison on the steps in the back of the palace and were instructed to take a seat and put on the special shoe coverings, a cloth booty. This was so they could protect the carpet and flooring. The tour guide was late so they assigned us another one. This lady was knowledgeable but hard to hear and lacked the passion I was hoping for. The palace was dark and stuffy. We learned about the residents and artifacts . Two things come to mind ,one was the palace had electricity years before the White House .They still have the original chandelier that was installed . The other was that King David Kalākaua was a short fellow, like me ! read more

See all