Aliiolani Hale

Aliiolani Hale is a palace and government building in downtown Honolulu designed in Italian Renaissance Revival style with Mediterranean Revival elements. The exterior uses concrete blocks cast to resemble hewn stone, and a four-story central clock tower dominates the structure while the Hawaii State Supreme Court maintains its chambers inside.

King Kamehameha V laid the cornerstone in 1872 for what was meant to serve as a royal residence. Following his death, the structure was repurposed into government offices and has served as a center of judicial and administrative power ever since.

The name Aliiolani Hale comes from Hawaiian and means House of Heavenly Kings, reflecting the building's deep connection to the islands' royal past. This cultural significance is woven into the architecture and how people understand this structure as a symbol of Hawaiian governance.

The building is located in downtown Honolulu at 417 South King Street and is easy to find and access from the street. Visitors can explore both the exterior facade and the publicly accessible interior spaces that feature exhibits about legal history and the judicial system.

During restoration work in the 2000s, workers used ground-penetrating radar to discover a time capsule buried over 130 years earlier at the cornerstone ceremony. The discovery provided historians with insights into the era of King Kamehameha V and the hopes people held for the future.

Location: Honolulu County

Architects: Thomas Rowe

Architectural style: Renaissance Revival architecture, Mediterranean Revival architecture

Part of: Hawaii Capital Historic District

Address: 417 King Street

Website: http://kanawai.org/about-us/aliiolani-hale

GPS coordinates: 21.30528,-157.86000

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:45