When people ask me for my “don’t miss” spots in Hawaii, they usually have hidden beaches or waterfalls in mind…maybe a really good happy hour spot. And listen, I’ve got plenty of those recommendations. 

But if there’s one place in Hawaii that I think is the most IMPORTANT to visit…it’s the Iolani Palace in downtown Honolulu. Not the most fun, not the most Instagrammable, not the best sunset view. The most important. And once you go, you’ll understand exactly why I feel that way.

Visiting the Iolani Palace

Iolani Palace sits right in the heart of downtown Honolulu, surrounded by the modern city that’s grown up all around it. It’s on King Street, just a short drive or bus ride from Waikiki, and it’s honestly easy to drive past without fully registering what you’re looking at. 

But what you’re looking at is the only royal palace on American soil. Built in 1882 under King Kalakaua, it was the official residence of the Hawaiian monarchy and it had electricity and a telephone system before the White House did. Let that sink in for a second.

The palace grounds are open to walk around for free, but to go inside you’ll want to book a tour.

Why You’ll Love This…

It puts Hawaiian history into real, tangible context. I’ve written before about how important it is for every visitor to Hawaii to have a basic understanding of Hawaiian history before they go. The overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893 is one of the most significant and painful chapters in that history, and standing inside Iolani Palace makes it feel real in a way that reading about it simply doesn’t. This is where Queen Lili’uokalani lived. This is where she was eventually imprisoned in her own home after the coup. It’s heavy and it’s important and everyone should experience it.

Sign up for a guided tour with a docent. You can do a self-guided audio tour but honestly the guided tour with a real docent is SO much better. The guides bring the history to life in a way that’s engaging and personal and you’ll leave knowing things you never would have picked up on your own. It’s worth the extra effort to book it in advance.

The palace itself is stunning. Beyond the history, the building is just genuinely beautiful. The architecture, the interior details, the restored furniture and artifacts…it’s meticulously maintained and really impressive to walk through.

It’s genuinely not that crowded. For something this significant and this cool, I’m always a little surprised that it’s not more packed with tourists. Which means you can actually take your time here and absorb it without feeling rushed or elbowing past people.

It’s close to other great Honolulu stops. Downtown Honolulu has a lot going on right in this area so it pairs really well with a broader morning of exploring the city.

If you’re at all interested in Hawaiian history and culture, you do NOT want to miss a visit to Iolani Palace. 

A (Very) Brief History of Hawaii

I think it’s important for every visitor to Hawaii to have a little history lesson for some social context. Here’s Hawaiian history in a nutshell – summed up in less than 500 words ; ) 

Yes, Hawaii is the 50th state in the Union, but there are many people who consider it an illegally occupied sovereign nation. Whether or not you agree with that is beside the point, but understanding the perspective and respecting the people of Hawaii will go a long way towards enriching your travel experience. 

Here’s a quick rundown: The Kingdom of Hawaii was a thriving monarchy under the rule of King Kamehameha I (who united the islands in 1810). The first missionaries showed up in 1820. The first sugar cane plantation was started in 1835, and the Hawaiian Islands developed a reputation as prime agricultural land (this is when American influence in Hawaiian government begins–the major business owners in Hawaii were American). By the 1850s, the plantations were booming and they needed more labor. Immigrants were recruited from China, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, and Portugal. 

In 1882, the Iolani Palace was completed and it had electricity before the White House and Buckingham Palace. In 1887, the US began leasing Pearl Harbor. 

Later in 1887, a group of largely non-Hawaiians drafted a new constitution (signed under threat of force) that stripped the King of power (later called the Bayonet Constitution). In 1891, Lili’uokalani (the last Queen of Hawaii) ascended to the throne and in 1893 she attempted to pass a new constitution that would give power back to the people of Hawaii. 

It gets really complicated from here, but basically a coup to overthrow the Kingdom of Hawaii followed immediately, designed largely by American businessmen and backed by the US military (a show of force mostly). To protect American property and interests in the Kingdom of Hawaii, the Republic of Hawaii was formed as the US tried to move towards annexation (the American businessmen forming the Republic of Hawaii kept the US from being technically directly involved). 

Interestingly, the treaty to annex Hawaii never passed the Senate and it gets a little murky as to how President McKinley eventually signed the Newlands Resolution in 1898 which created the Territory of Hawaii. Sanford B. Dole (yep, the pineapple guy : ) was appointed as the first Territorial Governor which tells a lot of the story, and Queen Lili’uokalani eventually died under house arrest. 

The sugarcane plantations kept booming. Business was good. Pearl Harbor was attacked in 1941. Hawaii was admitted as the 50th state in 1959. And now tourism is the most dominant economic driver in the islands. 

While many native Hawaiians feel that their land (and to some extent their culture) has been stolen from them, they’re largely VERY welcoming to visitors. But that’s what you are…a visitor in someone’s home. If you get that and behave accordingly, Hawaii is the greatest place on earth you’ll ever visit. Yes, it’s very beautiful, but there are a lot of beautiful places. The people and the way that they share their culture is what makes it special.

I’ve made it my job for the last 10 years to explore Maui.

And after hundreds of beach days, rainforest hikes, snorkeling trips, and reconnaissance missions to find the best hotels… and mai tais… I put everything I know into one place.

This is my Maui Digital Map — hundreds of my favorite spots. Beaches, snorkeling spots, hikes, farm tours, scenic drives, places to eat.

Yes, I share hidden spots I don’t talk about so much on social media…but also—tourist doesn’t have to be a dirty word. Popular places are popular for a reason.

So I break down what’s worth it, what’s not, where to spend your money, where to save it, and how to avoid crowds at some of Maui’s most popular (and best) places so you actually enjoy your time.

I’m also sharing all of my travel guides on when to go, where to stay, detailed hotel reviews…
plus dozens of itinerary options based on where you’re staying and what you love to do.

It’s everything you need to see the best of Maui and actually relax. A Vacation in a box…all YOU need to do is pack your suitcase. 

Get access to my Maui digital map and itineraries here.