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Facilities and Grounds Use by the Community
`Iolani Palace is a wahipana of the Hawaiian people. It is the site of a sacred burial ground, a Ka Hale Ali`i, an historic site, an architectural treasure, and a repository of priceless cultural artifacts. It is held in trust by the State of Hawai`i as part of the ceded land inventory as a condition of statehood. The kuleana for its stewardship, by lease agreement, is assigned to The Friends of ` Iolani Palace, a private non-profit organization established in 1966 for the sole purpose of perpetuating the legacy of `Iolani Palace.
In its commitment to protect and preserve the Palace, its priceless contents, and to hold to the highest standards of curatorial excellence, The Friends of `Iolani Palace also recognizes the challenge in balancing the legitimate need for the public to be assured reasonable access to the Palace and its grounds. We are also cognizant of the need to insure that such access will not compromise the dignity and integrity of the Palace, its contents, and the grounds. It is the intent of this policy to secure and preserve this special sense of place.
Policy on Use
The Friends of `Iolani Palace (The Friends) is a native Hawaiian non-profit organization that oversees the restoration and interpretation of `Iolani Palace. The grounds surrounding the Palace are under the State Parks division of the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR). A lease with the State of Hawai`i regulates activities conducted by The Friends.
The structures leased from the State of Hawai`i by The Friends of `Iolani Palace are available for use by the public, providing that event fees are directed to Palace operations. The Friends reserve the right to deny requests for functions that are not in keeping with its purpose.
For more information about the schedule for Corporate Events and use of the Barracks, please contact:
Executive Assistant
The Friends of 'Iolani Palace
P.O. Box 2259
Honolulu, Hawaii 96804
Phone: (808) 522-0831
Fax: (808) 532-1051
Information Sheets
The following provide helpful information for those considering hosting an event in the Palace facilities. Please download and read the information applicable to your event first.
- Wedding Ceremonies at `Iolani Palace (Without Reception) Information Sheet
.pdf or 
.doc - Wedding Ceremonies & Social Receptions (Non Corporate) Information Sheet .pdf or .doc
- Corporate and Public Special Events Information Sheet .pdf or .doc
- Iolani Palace Facilities and Grounds Map (or .pdf)
Facilities Use Application
All prospective site users must submit a Rental Agreement. Allow at least 10 working days to process the application. Groups planning similar multiple events through the year may complete one form, listing all the dates for approval and scheduling.
Description of Facilities
Halekoa - The Barracks
If you need a fantastic new location for your wedding reception, or to host a business luncheon, intimate dinner party or your corporate holiday celebration, consider the historic Halekoa, the `Iolani Palace Barracks. An amazing venue day or night, the coral block structure of limestone with its crenulated parapets and towers harkens to the architecture of medieval castles of Europe.
Learn more about this venue >>
Kana`ina Building - Lecture Room
The Kana`ina Building houses the business offices of The Friends of `Iolani Palace. The Lecture Room is available for meetings by advance reservation. The room seats 80 people comfortably. Hours : 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. After business hours by special arrangement only. If permission is granted after 4:00 p.m., the applicant may be assessed an hourly fee for staff time. Typically, events in the Lecture Room have been community meetings, lectures, presentations and classes with an educational, cultural and historical focus.
The Friends of `Iolani Palace charges a fee for the use of the Kana`ina building. All fees are very important to the restoration of the historic structures and to fund public programs. Included in the fee: 60 chairs and five 6 ft. tables. There is an extra charge for a sound system and slide projector equipment. Please see fee schedule on application form (above).
The Coronation Pavilion
The Pavilion is utilized by the Royal Hawaiian Band for official state functions, fundraisers for The Friends of `Iolani Palace or other Palace sanctioned events that commemorate significant historical dates in Palace history. The Pavilion is not available for public use.
Palace Steps
Permission to use the Palace steps facing King Street is rarely granted above the first landing, except for Palace programs and events. The Friends consult with DLNR on a case-by-case basis to respond to public requests to utilize the steps of the Palace.
Palace Interiors
The interior of the Palace is reserved for public tours during business tours. All rooms and galleries are for exhibit and interpretive purposes only, or Palace sanctioned programs. They are not available for conferences, private ceremonies or meetings.
Grounds Restrictions
The Makai Diamond Head quadrant is the site of a sacred burial ground. Out of reverence for its history, requests to hold events in this area are uniformly not approved.