Big Island Attractions

Hulihe’e Palace

The stately mansion of Hulihe'e is situated on Alii Drive in Kailua Kona on the west coast of Hawaii's Big Island. It was built in 1883 and served as the holiday home of Hawaiian royalty until 1925 when it was turned into a museum; it now houses a collection of ancient Hawaiian artefacts and personal memorabilia of the Hawaiian royal family. The bust of King Kalakaua's presides over the entrance hall, while the beautiful Koa dining table carved from a single log of wood graces the Kuhio Room. Little touches like Princess Ruth's hatbox made from the trunk of a coconut tree and the cradle of Prince Albert, son of King Kamehameha IV, bring alive a sense of history in the house. The highlight of the collection is the impressive wardrobe in the Kawanakoa Room, which is made of koa wood and trimmed with the King's crest and carvings of classic Greek muses. The palace suffered significant damage from an earthquake in October 2006 and attempts are being made to restore it to its former glory.

Address: Ali‘i Drive, Kailua-Kona; Website: www.huliheepalace.org; Telephone: (808) 329 1877; Opening time: Daily 9am to 4pm; Admission: $6 (adults), $1 (children), concessions available