ʻIolani Palace tour with Zita Cup Choy - Paubox Kahikina Scholarship

Yesterday we took a docent-led, guided tour of ʻIolani Palace.

What's happening: As a small experiment for the Paubox Kahikina Scholarship, this year we added a cultural activity, a tour of ʻIolani Palace.

There's a palace in Hawaiʻi?: Yes, 'Iolani Palace was completed in 1882 and had electricity before the White House. The Kingdom of Hawai'i was illegally overthrown in 1893 with help from the U.S. government. 

In 1993, President Clinton signed legislation apologizing for the U.S. role in the 1893 overthrow. The apology acknowledged the historic significance of the event but did not provide federal recognition to Native Hawaiians. 

Native Hawaiians are the only indigenous race in the United States without formal recognition from the federal government. 

Our takeaways: Alyssa Lyman, Paubox Kahikina Scholarship recipient and recent graduate of Purdue University, had this to say about the tour: 

"While I had been before, I hadn't been in awhile and it was so great to not only connect and learn more about my ancestors, but also ask questions and discuss freely beyond a normal self-guided tour.

It was a privilege to be able to have a behind-the-scenes experience and it made everything so much more special. It felt like I was experiencing it with my ancestors.

I loved how our guide was able to help us clear up any misconceptions or questions that we had about that time period. It also made me want to do further research on my own Hawaiian genealogy."

Scholarship recipient Colton Mills had this feedback:

"The ʻIolani Palace visit was most impactful in the opportunity to engage with the docent, asking questions about the history of the Hawaiian Kingdom and its rulers. AS an enthusiast of architecture, I enjoyed learning of the palace's design and it blend of Hawaiian and European influences."

The bigger picture:   Never forget where you come from.

Enjoy the pics!

Paubox Kahikina Scholarship recipient Colton Mills takes in the ground floor of ʻIolani Palace.

The largest koa staircase in the world is located here at ʻIolani Palace.

A portrait of King David Kalākaua.

A portrait of Napoleon III

King Kalākaua's royal crest – KIK

Scholarship recipients Colton Mills and Alyssa Lyman admiring King Kalakaua's library on the second floor.

Our docent, Zita Cup Choy, was fantastic. Here she is with my father-in-law, Roger Lerud, granting us behind-the-rope access.

Colton Mills, deep in thought, in Kalākaua's Bedroom. 

(left to right): Roger Lerud, Colton Mills, and Alyssa Lyman in the Music Room. We were granted special access to this room as well.

These elephant tusks were given to King David Kalākaua for his 50th birthday jubilee in 1886.

Behind-the-rope access in the King's Library with Zita Cup Choy.

Zita Cup Choy explaining how the kapu stick, seen in the background between the two royal chairs, was built.