King David Kalakaua Building

The King David Kalakaua Building is a courthouse in downtown Honolulu that blends Spanish Colonial and Mediterranean architectural styles. Its stucco walls and terracotta tile roofs create a distinctly warm and layered appearance that stands out from surrounding modern structures.

Construction took place from 1921 to 1922 as a post office, customs facility, and courthouse, with a major expansion completed between 1929 and 1931. The building's transition to state control in 2003 marked a significant change in its administrative purpose and governance.

The building honors Hawaii's last reigning monarch through its name, symbolizing the islands' complex relationship with royalty and governance. Visitors walking past notice how this naming choice distinguishes the structure from other civic buildings in the downtown area.

The building now houses the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs along with a postal services section. As an active government office, access may be restricted and security procedures should be expected when visiting.

The federal government sold this historic structure to the state of Hawaii in a remarkable transfer of ownership that fundamentally changed its administrative role. This transaction reflected a broader shift in how governmental property is managed across the archipelago.