HULIHE’E PALACE, Kona, Hawaii, A Peek at Hawaii's Royal Past

Hulihe'e Palace, Kona, Hawaii, is a heritage site of Hawaii.

On Alii Drive in the center of Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii is Hulihe’e Palace, an elegant historic structure, one ofthe few reminders of Hawaii’s past amongst the many tourist hotels and eateries around Kailua Bay.

Hulihe’e Palace was built using lava rock, coral lime mortar, koa and 'ohi'a wood. It was completed in 1838.

Examples of historic Hawaiian houses.

For centuries, the west part of the island of Hawaii has been associated with royal chiefs. The land on which Hulihe'e Palace sits was once part of a traditional homestead developed by King Kamekameha in the early 1800s. Grass houses (hale pili) once stood on the grounds along with a pavilion and a two story bungalow.

Statue of King Kamekameha in his royal finery.

Kamekameha's brother-in-law Kuakini built Hulihee Palace in 1838 as his royal residence. It is the oldest building on the island except for the Congregational Church on the opposite side of the road.

View of Mokuaikaua Church from front door of Hulihe'e Palace. It is the oldest Christian church in Hawaii. The congregation dates to 1820 and the building to 1837.

A number of the royal family inhabited Hulihe'e until 1914, when it was sold to a non-royal, Bathsheba Allen. She died a month later and the house was vacant for ten years. In 1925,Hulihe’e was bought by the state of Hawaii with the purpose of preserving it as a museum. It is operated and maintained by the Daughters of Hawaii.

The Royal Lineages of Hawaii (Bishop Museum).

I visited the museum during my recent visit to Hawaii. I made a reservation online, but if the museum isn’t crowded, walk-in visitors are welcome. (Before going inside, you must leave your shoes on the porch--or wear booties over your shoes--to protect the beautifully polished dark wooden floors.)

From the ocean front lanai you can view directly across Kailua Bay to a site known as Kamakahomu. This is where Kamekameha I lived out the rest of his days after he consolidated the kingdom. The many ancient temples and royal residences have been replaced by hotels, restaurants and shops that line Kailua Bay. (The Kamekameha Hotel nearby was the site of my husband’s conference during our visit to Hawaii.)

Shark skin drum (paha). The paha is one of the most important instruments used to accompany the hula.

After confirming my reservation at Hulihe'e Palace, I received a brochure for a self-guided tour. On the main floor are the entry hall, parlor and dining room. The parlor, known as the Kuakini room, displays items such as bark cloth, wooden bowls, stone fishhooks, and other items used by traditional Hawaiians prior to modern times. 

Tapa (bark cloth) with bamboo block prints.

Feather cape.

The extinct O’o bird was prized for its few yellow feathers. Skilled bird catchers collected the feathers by listening and observing the birds and identifying the branches on which the birds would land. They spread sap on the branches to catch the birds. They then removed the yellow feathers, cleaned the sap off the bird’s feet and let it go. Feathers were used in helmets, capes, leis, or tall royal standards called kahili. The feathers are a symbol of Hawaiian royalty.

Princess Ruth Ke’elikolani in Western style clothes.

The upper floor of the Hulihe’e Palace consists of a sitting room and two bedrooms. In the sitting room are mounted portraits of the royal residents of Hulihe'e and a chart of the lineage of the royal family.
In 1887 Queen Kapi'olani traveled to England for Queen Victoria's Jubilee Celebration.  

This large wooden box made from the trunk of a coconut tree with a lid and legs of a koa tree was the hat box of Princess Ruth Ke’elikolani. She was the longest royal owner of Hulihe’e. 

Wooden hat box in the bedroom of Ruth Ke'elikolani.

The second bedroom is dedicated to Prince David and Priness Abigail Kawananakoa. As some of the last royal owners, Prince David and his wife visited Hulihe'e on their honeymoon in the early 20th century. This royal line thrives today and the family graciously loans many items to this room for display.

On my visit to Hulihe'e Palace I loved learning about the royal inhabitants of the palace and their history, and I especially enjoyed the Kuakini room with examples of crafts and everyday items from the time before Europeans came to Hawaii. If you are visiting Kona and have an afternoon free, a visit to Hulihe'e Palace is well worth the time. 

For more information go to the Hulihe'e Palace website.

One enters the palace grounds through an ornate iron gate.