Keōua Hale, Victorian mansion in downtown Honolulu, US.
Keōua Hale was a Second Empire mansion in downtown Honolulu featuring a mansard roof, wide open-air lanais, and gas-lit rooms throughout. The interiors displayed elaborate plaster moldings and painted frescoes on the walls and ceilings.
The building was completed in 1883 under architect Charles J. Hardy and was larger than the nearby ʻIolani Palace at that time. Later it was converted and served as a school building from 1908 onward.
The original owner, Princess Ruth Keʻelikōlani, made a point of speaking only Hawaiian within her home and supporting traditional island practices. This commitment stood out among the island's elite families during a period of rapid change.
The building was located on Queen Emma Street in central Honolulu, though it no longer stands today. The site remains easily accessible by public transit that connects the business district and historic downtown areas.
Princess Ruth organized a grand opening party with a luau and ball to celebrate the new mansion, but then fell seriously ill and never actually moved in. This twist made the house memorable in local history despite having so few occupants from its owners.
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