Hulihee Palace Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Hulihee Palace. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

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Admission to Hulihee Palace is US$16 for adults, and US$10 for seniors (62-plus) and kids (5–12 years old). For guided tours, the cost is US$22 for adults, US$16 for seniors, and US$14 for kids. Discounts on both types of tickets are available for military members, Hawaii residents, and children 4 and under.

Built in 1838, Hulihee Palace served as a summer residence for Hawaiian royalty, including King Kalakaua and Queen Kapiolani. Originally constructed from lava rock, it fell to near ruin before a local group advocated to save it. Today, it represents Hawaii’s royal past—and the West’s influence on Hawaiian nobility. It also sits on a former residence of Kamehameha the Great.

Inside Hulihee Palace, you’ll walk among an impressive collection of 19th-century furniture, royal artifacts, and traditional Hawaiian crafts. Highlights include King Kalakaua's koa wood furniture, Queen Kapiolani's personal items, ancient ceremonial weapons, and rare photographs of Hawaiian royalty. Each room showcases period-appropriate decor, offering glimpses into the regal lifestyle of the era.

A self-guided tour of Hulihee Palace typically takes about an hour. Guided tours, offered Wednesday through Saturday at 11:30am and 1:30pm, last about 75 minutes and provide deeper context to learn about the palace and royal life. Hawaiian history buffs may want to set aside more time to fully appreciate the landmark’s architecture, artifacts, and gardens.

Hulihee Palace offers limited wheelchair accessibility. To enter the building, visitors need to go up a small set of stairs, and due to preservation restrictions, there is no elevator to the second floor. However, staffers are available to help guests navigate the stairs; they ask that any visitors requiring assistance call in advance to arrange services.