Hawaii - Jeff Campbell [67]
STATE CAPITOL
Built in the architecturally interesting 1960s, Hawaii’s state capitol (Map; 586-0178; 415 S Beretania St; admission free; 8am-5pm Mon-Fri, tours usually 1:30pm Mon, Wed & Fri) is not your standard gold dome. It’s a poster-child of conceptual postmodernism: the two cone-shaped legislative chambers represent volcanoes; the supporting columns symbolize palm trees; and a large pool encircling the rotunda represents the Pacific Ocean surrounding the Hawaiian Islands.
In front of the capitol stands a statue of Father Damien, the Belgian priest who lived and worked among patients with Hansen’s Disease (formerly called leprosy) who were forcibly exiled to the island of Moloka′i beginning in 1866 (Click here). The highly stylized sculpture was created by Paris-born Venezuelan artist Marisol Escobar.
Symbolically positioned between the palace and the state capitol is a bronze statue of Queen Lili′uokalani, Hawaii’s last reigning monarch. Lili′uokalani holds the constitution that she wrote in 1893, in a failed attempt to strengthen Native Hawaiian rule; ‘Aloha ′Oe,’ a popular song she composed; and Kumulipo the traditional Hawaiian chant of creation.
ALI′IOLANI HALE
The first major government building (Map; 539-4994; 417 S King St; admission free; 8am-4pm Mon-Fri) constructed by the Hawaiian monarchy in 1874, the ‘House of Heavenly Kings’ was designed by Australian architect Thomas Rowe to be a royal palace, although it was never used as such. It was on these steps in January 1893 that Sanford Dole proclaimed the end of the Hawaiian monarchy. Today, this dignified Italianate structure houses the Hawaii Supreme Court. Step inside for historical displays about Hawaii’s judicial history.
Outside, a statue of Kamehameha the Great faces ′Iolani Palace. Every year on June 11, a state holiday honoring the king, the statue is ceremoniously draped with layers of colorful leis.
WASHINGTON PLACE
Formerly the governor’s official residence, this historic home (Map; 586-0248; admission by donation; by appt Mon-Fri) is now a museum. Surrounded by stately trees, this large colonial-style mansion was erected in 1846 by US sea captain John Dominis. The captain’s son, also named John, became the governor of O′ahu and married the Hawaiian princess who later became Queen Lili′uokalani. After the queen was released from house arrest, she lived at Washington Place until her death in 1917. A plaque near the sidewalk is inscribed with the words to ‘Aloha ′Oe,’ the farewell song Liliu′okalani composed. For tour reservations, call at least 48 hours in advance.
ST ANDREW’S CATHEDRAL
This French Gothic cathedral (Map; 524-2822; 229 Queen Emma Sq; 9am-5pm, tours usually 11am Sun; ) was King Kamehameha IV’s personal homage to the architecture and faith of the Church of England. The king and his consort, Queen Emma, founded the Anglican Church in Hawaii in 1861. The cornerstone was laid four years after the death of Kamehameha IV on St Andrew’s Day – hence the church’s name. Historical tours usually meet by the pulpit after the 10am Sunday worship service, but call ahead to confirm schedules. For a free concert, the largest pipe organ in the Pacific is sonorously played every Wednesday starting at 12:15pm. Limited free parking.
HONOLULU HALE
Designed and built in 1927 by CW Dickey, Honolulu’s then-famous architect, City Hall (Map; 523-2489; 530 S King St) is now on the National Register of Historic Places. Its Spanish Mission Revival–style architecture features a tiled roof, decorative balconies, arches and pillars, some ornate frescoes, and an open-air courtyard occasionally used for concerts and art exhibits. On the front lawn, an eternal-flame memorial honors the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the US mainland.
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