A gold leaf-trimmed statue of King Kamehameha V dominates the palm tree-laden courtyard of this National Historic Landmark. Look further to behold the intricately designed clock tower, two tiers of ionic columns, sturdy concrete brick walls, and floor-to-ceiling arched windows that comprise the prominent façade of Ali'iolani Hale in downtown Honolulu.
Australian architect Thomas Rowe originally designed this Renaissance revival-style structure as a palace for Hawaiian royalty. Kamehameha V, who laid the cornerstone in February 1872, commissioned the building to house government offices instead. The king died before Ali'iolani Hale, or "the house of the heavenly king," was completed in 1874. Throughout its 130-year history, the edifice has undergone numerous restorations including the rebuilding of the interior due to termite damage and fire hazards in 1911 and the addition of a new wing completed in 1944.
Today, the building accommodates the Supreme Court of Hawai'i and court administration offices, the state's largest law library, and the Judiciary History Center, which covers 200 years of Hawaiian law from monarchy to statehood. A restored 1913 courtroom stands out among the center's several exhibits. Take a moment to admire the authentic wood furnishings elegantly arranged amid earthy green walls and cream-colored trimmings. You can even make yourself comfortable in the judge's seat for a photo-op. Explore the Hawai'i Under Martial Law exhibit for a humbling depiction of life during World War II after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The center additionally supplies a History Center Theater, featuring films that document Hawai'i's rich legal history.
Attraction Information
- Hours:
- Judiciary History Center open Monday through Friday: 8am to 4pm
- Admission:
- Free
- Contact:
- Location: 417 S. King St Honolulu, HI
- Phone: 808-539-4999
- Website: www.jhchawaii.net
