Photo: Thomas Tunsch, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
🌤 Weather at Huliheʻe Palace by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 68–83 °F | 72–86 °F | 70–86 °F | 66–81 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Ke-Ahole Point 68.13, 7 mi away, elevation 20 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
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 |
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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
More parks in Hawaii: Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area and Kekaha Kai State Park. See the full Hawaii state parks guide.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Huliheʻe Palace
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Pets are heavily restricted in Hawaii state parks: they are not permitted in pavilions, swimming areas, campgrounds, lodges, on beaches or wherever posted, and only limited areas allow them.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- Where permitted, pets must be crated, caged, on a 6-foot or shorter leash, or otherwise under physical restrictive control at all times
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- Pets are not permitted on beaches or in swimming areas statewide
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Pets are not permitted in lodges or campgrounds, so overnight accommodations are effectively pet-free
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Rules vary by park and posting; effectively day-use only in the limited unposted areas where pets are tolerated
Are dogs allowed at Huliheʻe Palace?
Pets are heavily restricted in Hawaii state parks: they are not permitted in pavilions, swimming areas, campgrounds, lodges, on beaches or wherever posted, and only limited areas allow them. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via dlnr.hawaii.gov. More: Hawaii state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
