The Iolani Royal Palace

Hawaiian Royal Palace

Today we plan to tour the Iolani Palace. It is the only Royal Palace in the United States.

Around 1880 - King David of the Hawaiian Kingdom built it after visiting all over Europe. He was accepted as an official royal visitor and wanted to return the favor to entertain here. He and Queen Lili were the only monarchs to enjoy it. Around 1890 - the Dole Family organized a coup to take over Hawaii and make it a Republic - with Dole as president.

When the USA heavily taxed Dole's fruit - they arranged Hawaii to become a territory to the USA - and avoided the taxes. It went on like that for 60 years.

In 1941 - Japan attacked Pearl Harbor and our fleet there. That caused the USA to enter World War II. The next day - Germany declared war on the USA. We were sucked into the fray - and started helping England to beat Germany.

In 1959 - the United States made Hawaii a state. The Iolani Palace became the state capitol. In 1969 - they built a new capitol - just next door - and turned the Palace into a museum.

It was sort of a deal in Congress. In early1959 - they let Alaska become a state - a Republican leaning state. In late 1959 - Hawai became a state - a Democrat leaning state. Hawaii has about 1.4 million people - Alaska has only about 700,000 people. Each state gets 2 Senators and 1 House member. California has 40 million people and also gets 2 Senators.

Today it is restored to the kingdom era. We toured it before but it is a wonderful return visit.

Queen Lili was locked up in the Palace by the Dole faction - she wrote the famous "Aloha Oe" there. Dole is now the largest fruit company in the world. They grow most of their fruit in third world countries where labor is cheaper.