Note that the ‘Iolani Palace in Honolulu, O’ahu Island in the state of Hawaii, United States of America, is the only royal palace on U.S. soil.
“The Hawaiian Kingdom, also known as the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian: Ke Aupuni Hawaiʻi), was a sovereign state located in the Hawaiian Islands which existed from 1795 to 1893. It was established during the late 18th century when Kamehameha I, then Ali’i nui of Hawaii, conquered the islands of O’ahu, Maui, Moloka’I, and Lāna’i, and unified them under one government. In 1810, the Hawaiian Islands were fully unified when the islands of Kauai’ii and Ni’ihau voluntarily joined the Hawaiian Kingdom. Two major dynastic families ruled the kingdom, the house of Kamehameha and the House of Kalākaua.” – Wikipedia
“A national historic landmark and the only official state residence of royalty in the United States, from 1882 to 1893 Downtown Honolulu’s ʻIolani Palace was the official residence of the Hawaiian Kingdom’s last two monarchs: King Kalākaua and his sister and successor, Queen Liliʻuokalani.
“The palace was a symbol of promise for the Hawaiian Kingdom built by King Kalākaua, “The Merrie Monarch.” Influenced by European architectural styles, this royal residence included Hawaiʻi’s first electric light system, flush toilets and intra-house telephones. The rich interior features a beautiful koa staircase, dramatic portraits of Hawaiian royalty, ornate furniture and royal gifts and ornaments from around the world.
“In 1893, a provisional U.S. government was established after opposition forces overthrew the Hawaiian monarchy. The Hawaiian Islands were eventually annexed as a United States Territory in 1898. Hawaiʻi became the 50th state in 1959 and during this time ʻIolani Palace was used as the capitol building until 1968. After falling into disrepair over the years, the ʻIolani Palace was renovated and opened to the public in 1978.” — www.gohawaii.com
“A Place for Royalty: The significance of the land around ʻIolani Palace stretches back to antiquity. It is thought to have been the site of an ancient heiau (place of worship). In 1845, King Kamehameha III established his official residence in a large commodious home on this site. The structure served five Hawaiian kings until its demolition in 1874. The cornerstone for ʻIolani Palace was laid on December 31, 1879, with full Masonic rites and construction was completed in 1882. The Palace was the official residence of the Hawaiian monarchs, where they held official functions, received dignitaries and luminaries from around the world, and entertained often and lavishly.” — www.iolanipalace.org
“Iolani Palace features architecture seen nowhere else in the world. This unique style is known as American Florentine. On the first floor a grand hall faces a staircase of koa wood. Ornamental plaster decorates the interior. The Throne room (southeast corner), the blue meeting room, and the dining room adjoin the grand hall. The blue room included a large 1848 portrait of King Louis Phillippe of France and a koa wood piano where Liliʻuokalani played her compositions for guests. Upstairs are the private library and bedrooms of the Hawaiian monarchs.” — Wikipedia
Our palace guide informed us that when built, the ‘Iolani Palace had electricity FOUR YEARS before the White House in Washington, D.C., the residence of the president of the United States of America
“Lydia Liliʻu Loloku Waiania Kamakaʻeha (1838–1917), better known as Queen Liliʻuokalani, was the Hawaiian Kingdom’s only reigning queen and last monarch before the overthrow of the sovereign state. Queen Liliʻuokalani presided over the Hawaiian Kingdom during a time of great economic growth. By 1890, 21 international treaties and more than 80 embassies around the world recognized the Hawaiian archipelago. Additionally, Hawaiʻi and its multiethnic society enjoyed universal suffrage in 1840 (a full 120 years before the United States), universal health care, state neutrality (1855), and a 95 percent literacy rate, the second highest in the world.
“Deceit and treachery also marked the queen’s tenure: on January 17, 1893, the queen was forcefully removed in a coup de main supported by American troops and warships under the direction of John L. Stevens, U.S. minister to the Hawaiian Kingdom. The United States argued that it needed Hawaiian ports to fight the Spanish-American War deeper in the Pacific, which the Hawaiian Kingdom’s neutral status prevented. Despite years of unsuccessful appeals to international states and the United States government, Liliʻuokalani was confined at home in Honolulu until her death in 1917. While not an American woman, Queen Liliʻuokalani marks a significant voice in the framework of American imperialism. A force to be reckoned with, she protected her country, citizens, and role as sovereign until her passing.” — https://womenshistory.si.edu/herstory/activism/object/queen-liliuokalani
“King Kalākaua’s Jubilee Dinner: On November 29, 1886, King Kalākaua hosted his jubilee birthday dinner. A quiet affair with a handful of special guests, the dinner was in honor of the King’s 50th birthday. The menu, written in French, included dishes such as: oysters, soups, shrimp salad, beef with mushrooms, duck with olives, and asparagus with Hollandaise sauce. Dessert included, seasonal, fruit, cake, glazed cookies, and bonbons. Wine accompanied the entrées. Coffee was offered at the end of the meal.
“The Central Commercial Advertiser [newspaper] reported that ‘after the dinner, His Majesty, and his guests, proceeded to the Throne room, where they were joined by select company of ladies and gentlemen, who spent the evening in dancing.’
“The King‘s birthday celebrations were spread out over two weeks from November 15-29, 1886. The celebrations included events such as hula performances, athletic competitions, a parade, fireworks, and a regatta, as well as a dinner and a luau.” – signage at the ‘Iolani Palace
As we came to the end of our nearly two weeks in the Hawaiian Islands, we were reminded of one aspect of the Hawaiian culture that deserves universal following. It is the Hawaiian word ’OHANA. The literal translation of ’ohana is family. In the islands, it is more generally used to refer to an “extended family”. In popular culture (for example, the movie “Lilo and Stitch”, an animated children’s film), the characters in the film repeatedly state that “’ohana means family, and family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten.”
“The concept of ʻohana involves creating loving relationships with more than just blood relatives. Embracing ʻohana means developing a sense of familial care and devotion to all members of the human family. The general non-Hawaiian public primarily knows about ʻohana from movies or television shows. ʻOhana is closely associated with the concept of families providing support to each other. Traditionally, Native Hawaiians have had large extended families, with multiple generations staying close together. One aspect of ʻohana means ensuring that no one in the family gets left behind. Growing ʻohana involves ensuring that everyone in the family has what they need to survive and live with joy. This sense of family includes not only the children but also the elders, who receive much respect.” — https://collectionsofwaikiki.com/ohana-meaning/
Note that like many other societies around the world, Hawaiians for centuries have called close friends of a family “Auntie” and “Uncle” and included them in their extended family, making them part of the family’s ʻohana.
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