Hawaiian Royal Palace Museum — Built 1838 by Governor Kuakini, King Kalākaua and Queen Kapiʻolani Summer Residence, Lava Rock Construction, Koa Wood Furniture and Royal Artifacts, Docent and Self-Guided Tours, Aliʻi Drive Kailua-Kona Big Island Hawaiʻi
Huliheʻe Palace is a historic Hawaiian royal palace museum at 75-5718 Aliʻi Drive, Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi Island (Big Island). The palace features original 1838 lava rock construction by High Chief John Adams Kuakini, governor of Hawaiʻi Island, service as a summer vacation residence for Hawaiian monarchs including King Kalākaua and Queen Kapiʻolani, museum exhibits showcasing koa wood furniture, royal portraits, featherwork, and monarchy-era artifacts, docent-guided tours (Wednesday–Saturday at 11:30 AM, $22 general) and self-guided tours (Wednesday–Saturday 10 AM–3 PM, $16 general), management by the Daughters of Hawaiʻi preserving Hawaiian royal heritage, National Register of Historic Places designation since 1973, and oceanfront location on historic Aliʻi Drive in the heart of Kailua-Kona.
Huliheʻe Palace is the Big Island’s royal heritage museum — built in 1838 from lava rock by High Chief Kuakini, it served as the summer retreat for Hawaiian monarchs including King Kalākaua and Queen Kapiʻolani. The oceanfront palace on Aliʻi Drive is one of only three royal palaces in the United States.
The Daughters of Hawaiʻi maintain the palace as a museum with koa wood furniture, royal portraits, and featherwork. Docent-guided and self-guided tours available Wednesday through Saturday.
What to See
- Royal artifacts — koa furniture, portraits, featherwork
- Lava rock palace — 1838 original construction
- Docent tours — Wed–Sat 11:30 AM, $22 general
- Self-guided — Wed–Sat 10 AM–3 PM, $16 general
- Oceanfront — Aliʻi Drive, Kailua-Kona
- History — King Kalākaua, Queen Kapiʻolani
Visitor Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | 75-5718 Aliʻi Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 |
| Built | 1838 — lava rock by Chief Kuakini |
| Docent Tour | Wed–Sat 11:30 AM — $22 general |
| Self-Guided | Wed–Sat 10 AM–3 PM — $16 general |
| Kamaʻāina Rate | Docent $16 / Self-Guided $12 |
| Parking | None on-site — free at 75-5668 Kuakini Hwy |
| Phone | (808) 329-1877 |
| Managed By | Daughters of Hawaiʻi |
| Coordinates | 19.6400° N, 155.9953° W |
Tour Pricing
| Category | Docent-Guided | Self-Guided |
|---|---|---|
| General | $22 | $16 |
| Military | $18 | $12 |
| Seniors 62+ | $16 | $10 |
| Youth 5–12 | $14 | $10 |
| Kamaʻāina | $16 | $12 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Wildlife & Nature
Hulihe’e Palace — a 19th-century royal vacation home on Ali’i Drive in Kailua-Kona. Hawaiian royalty including King Kalākaua vacationed here. The waterfront’s reef and ocean support green sea turtles, spinner dolphins, and tropical reef fish.
Nearby Attractions
Kailua-Kona — surrounding. Ahuena Heiau — 0.5 miles north (Kamehameha’s last residence). Kona coffee farms — 5 miles upslope.
How much does it cost to visit Huliheʻe Palace?
Huliheʻe Palace in Kailua-Kona, Big Island, Hawaiʻi, offers two tour options: docent-guided tours at $22 general admission (Wednesday–Saturday at 11:30 AM) and self-guided tours at $16 general admission (Wednesday–Saturday 10 AM–3 PM). Military, seniors 62+, youth 5–12, and Kamaʻāina receive discounted rates. The 1838 lava rock palace was a summer residence for King Kalākaua and Queen Kapiʻolani and houses koa wood furniture, royal portraits, and featherwork. No on-site parking — free parking at 75-5668 Kuakini Hwy. Call (808) 329-1877 for reservations.
Last updated: May 2026
Nearby state parks: If you have extra time, Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area is a short drive away, and Kona Coast State Park is a short drive away.
