Ioloni Palace, Hawaii: America’s Only Royal Residence

In this installment of ‘Larger Than Life: Architecture Through the Ages,’ we visit the only example of American Florentine architecture.

Constructed of brick, Ioloni Palace has a plastered concrete façade. Two central 76-foot towers with smaller towers sport double lanais, or roofed and open-sided verandas. All the symmetrical fluted, Corinthian columns supporting the entryway arch on the first floor and the lower arches on the second floor are made of cast iron and feature acanthus leaf capitals. The veranda railings are also cast iron; they were fabricated in Hawaii, while the columns were fabricated in California. The rows of windows along both levels of the verandas feature matching low aches with decorative keystones. Concrete dentil molding distinguishes the roof line. The Friends of ʻIolani Palace

Once a monarchy, Hawaii maintained a palace until the late 1800s. Named Ioloni Palace, it’s the only official royal residence located inside the United States. Interestingly, it’s also considered the only American Florentine style building in the world. Ioloni Palace’s design elements are indicative of an eclectic combination of Italian Renaissance, Gothic, and Romanesque architecture, yet with a unique Hawaiian island flair.

Some of the window etchings are of native Hawaiian island plants; and, instead of flag standards (flags on sticks) hung in the monarchy’s palace, the Kahili traditional symbols of Hawaii, or feather standards, are displayed throughout. Native Hawaiian woods—mostly koa, but also kamani and kou—make up the vast amount of paneling and are used for the stairway, doors, and windows.

Architects Thomas J. Baker, Charles J. Wall, and Isaac Moore collaborated on the elaborate project. The two-story residence encompasses approximately 34,104 square feet and is situated on 10 acres surrounded by mature, native Hawaiian trees.

The National Historic Site and Landmark is open to the public.

A large floating koa wood staircase has bronze statue lamps on its newel posts. The staircase is central to the grand hall, which displays portraits of the Hawaiian kings and queens. The staircase appears to ascend into an opening in the ceiling of intricately ornate plasterwork. Brass lighting hangs from the ceiling, and a series of hand-carved wood arches lead into first floor rooms as well to the back side of the palace. The Friends of 'Iolani Palace

The largest room on the first floor, the Throne Room, is where formal events and diplomatic receptions were held during Hawaii’s monarchy. The space is adorned in regal crimson carpeting, window treatments, and upholstery—with gilded finishes on the chairs and the pediment over the thrones. The room is also striking for its four-section tray ceiling outlined in dentil molding. Inside each tray is an ornamental medallion from which a resplendent crystal and globe chandelier hangs. The Friends of 'Iolani Palace

The Blue Room is a first-floor room used for smaller, more private receptions and meetings. Large matching portraits in gilded frames of King Kalakaua and Queen Liliʻuokalani, painted by American portraitist William Cogswell, decorate the walls, while brilliant blue draperies hang from carved window pediments. Matching blue upholstery adorns the Victorian-style furnishings. The crystal chandelier hangs from a star medallion surrounded by layers of geometric plasterwork.  The Friends of 'Iolani Palace

The dining room’s white walls and white ceiling are a backdrop to the regal crimson theme, primarily conveyed in the fabric treatments around the floor-to-ceiling windows. Lavishly carved pediments over the windows feature a shell design. As in the Blue Room, lighting hangs from star ceiling medallions. The Italian Renaissance-style furniture was made in Boston by A.H. Davenport Co. The Friends of 'Iolani Palace

On the second floor is the Gold Room, which was part of the king’s drawing rooms and served as a music room and gathering space for residents and guests. Vibrant golden satin drapes call attention to the 9-foot, floor-to-ceiling windows. A unique Victorian, three-seat, button-tufted upholstered piece is central in the room. Also prominent are the elephant tusks affixed to a table by one of the windows. A Japanese screen is positioned under the portrait of King Kalakaua’s wife, Queen Kapi'olani.  The Friends of 'Iolani Palace

On the second floor, the Queen’s Bedroom is saturated with pink and red fabrics showcased in the window treatments and the plush, button-tufted chaise lounge. A lace coverlet embellishes the upholstered piece and serves to soften the few original Empire-style furnishings in the room, including two mirrors and a small roll-top desk. The solid wood, double-edge-topped centerpiece table with extravagantly carved legs is also an original piece. The Friends of 'Iolani Palace

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