Free Hawaii Wallpaper - ‘Iolani Palace
Jul 17th, 2008 | By admin | Category: Hawai'i
‘Iolani Palace was the official state residence for the Hawaiian Kingdom Monarchy. It is the the only official state residence of royalty in the United States. The palace is located in the capitol district of Honolulu, and was the official residence for King Kalakaua and Queen Lili’uokalani.
The ‘Iolani Palace structure that exists today is actually the second ‘Iolani Palace to sit on the palace grounds. The original palace, built during the reign of Kamehameha III, was a one-story Greek-revival building made out of coral block that was only third the floor area of the present palace. It was purchased by Kamehameha III from Governor Mataio Kekuanaoa of O’ahu who had build it for his daughter (Kamehameha III’s niece) Princess Victoria Kamamalu when he moved his capital from Lahaina to Honolulu in 1845. It was constructed as a traditional ali? residence, in that the palace itself had no sleeping rooms. It just had a throne room, a reception room, and a state dining room as well, with other houses around for sleeping and for retainers. Kamehameha III preferred to live in the grass huts he build around the palace. The building was named, Hale Ali’i meaning (House of the Chiefs). During Kamehameha V reign it was changed to “‘Iolani Palace,” after his brother Kamehameha IV’s given names (his full name was Alexander Liholiho Keawenui ?Iolani). It literally means “royal hawk.” The Palace served as the official residence of the monarch during the reigns of Kamehameha IV, Kamehameha V, Lunalilo, and the first part of Kalakaua’s reign. The original structure was very simple in design and was more of a stately home than a palace, but at the time, it was the grandest house in town.
King Kamehameha V was the first monarch to envision a royal palace befitting of the sovereignty of a modern state such as Hawai?i. He commissioned the construction of Ali?i?lani Hale to be the official palace of the Hawaiian monarchy. The building was constructed across the street from the original ?Iolani Palace structure. It was name after himself (his full name was Lot Kapuaiwa Kalanikapuapaikalaninui Ali?iolani Kalanimakua) it means “House of the heavenly King”. At the time, Hawai?i sorely needed a government building, since the government buildings of the time were small and cramped. Ultimately, Ali?i?lani Hale became an administrative building instead of a palace, housing the judiciary of the Kingdom of Hawai?i and various other ministries.
The gates of ?Iolani Palace feature the Royal Coat of Arms.
The gates of ?Iolani Palace feature the Royal Coat of Arms.
By the time David Kal?kaua assumed the throne, the original ?Iolani Palace was in poor condition, suffering from ground termite damage. He ordered the palace to be razed.
Kal?kaua was the first monarch to travel around the world. While visiting other sovereign states of the world, he took note of the grand palaces owned by other monarchs. Like Kamehameha V, he dreamed of a royal palace befitting of the sovereignty of a modern state such as Hawai?i. He commissioned the construction a new ?Iolani Palace, directly across the street from Ali?i?lani Hale, to become the official palace of the Hawaiian monarchy. The building was completed in 1882 and cost over $360,000. It had electricity and telephones even before the White House and served as the official residence of the Hawaiian monarch until the kingdom was overthrown in 1893.
?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 magnificent staircase of koa wood. The Throne Room, the blue meeting room, and the Dining Room adjoin the hall. Upstairs are the private library and bedrooms of the Hawaiian monarchs, including the simple room where Queen Lili?uokalani was imprisoned after the second of the Wilcox rebellions. The quilt she made is still there. In the basement is a photographic display of the Palace, the Hawaiian crown jewels, orders and decorations given by the monarchs, and magnificent regalia worn by the high chiefs of the islands.
Source: Wikipedia
Additional Links: ‘Iolani Palace
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