Iolani Palace put out a call for cultural items to be featured in its galleries.
The curatorial department is looking for objects, documents, photographs, stories and historical information related to Hawaii’s royal heritage and the history of Iolani Palace.
Iolani Palace said in a news release that this unique opportunity will allow the community to share their treasures, enrich narratives and celebrate Hawaii’s past, while allowing the museum to create engaging and educational exhibits that honor and preserve the legacy of Hawaii’s royalty. The objects and artifacts can be loaned or donated to the museum.
Iolani Palace, a National Historical Landmark, was built in 1882 by King Kalakaua, then the reigning monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaii. It was the home of the kingdom’s last reigning monarchs, including Kalakaua’s sister, Queen Liliuokalani. The palace is now restored to represent the time before the overthrow of the monarchy in 1893.
The museum will feature the cultural objects in its Basement Galleries, which include ten galleries and over 6,000 square feet. The exhibits will be presented in Hawaiian and English.
The themes for the galleries include:
- Kamehameha and Kalākaua Dynasties
- The Significance of Iolani Palace and its Grounds
- Hawaiian Government and Diplomacy
- Fusion of Hawaiian and Western Regalia and Adornment
- Royal Orders and Jewelry
- Secret Societies (Hale Nauā & the Freemasons)
- 1893 Coup
- Hawaiian Music and Traditional Lifeways
- Iolani Palace Restoration Project (early 1970s)
- Contemporary Movements Relating to Sovereignty and the Protection of Our Environment, Culture, Language and Ancestral Remains
People who want to loan or donate objects, documents or stories to illuminate these themes, please contact The Friends of Iolani Palace at info@iolanipalace.org or (808) 522-0822.
