The Haunting of ʻIolani Palace: Echoes of Royal Spirits

The last royal palace of the Kingdom of Hawaii, the ʻIolani Palace in Honolulu is believed to be haunted by its former royalty, still dreaming of an independent Hawaii.

On Oʻahu in Hawaii, ʻIolani Palace stands as the last palace of the Hawaiian kingdom, its rich history and cultural heritage of Hawaii in downtown Honolulu. As the only royal palace in the United States, it is not just a symbol of the Hawaiian monarchy but also a reputedly haunted site, where the spirits of Queen Liliʻuokalani and other Native Hawaiian royalty are said to linger.

The History of ʻIolani Palace

Built in 1844, ʻIolani Palace or the Hale Aliʻi ʻIolani, was the official residence of the Hawaiian Kingdom’s last two monarchs, King Kalākaua and his sister and successor, Queen Liliʻuokalani.

The ʻIolani Palace was originally built for Victoria Kamamalu, a princess. Kamehameha III bought the place and used it as his royal residence after moving to the capital. Much of the palace we see today was built in a European way in order to make them see their Kingdom and their palace as a valid one.

The palace witnessed both grandeur and tragedy, from lavish royal balls to the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy on January 17th in 1893 by the USA, throwing Hawaii into five years of rebellions, guerrilla warfare and assassinations.

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Queen Liliʻuokalani herself was imprisoned within its walls after the coup for nine months, a period marked by deep sorrow and resilience as the people behind the coup wanted to turn them into their figurehead .

The building was used as a capitol building for the provisional Government after the coup, as well as when it was a territory and state of USA until 1969. After this it was restored and opened as a museum in 1978.

Burial Site of the Royals

The ʻIolani Palace was built close to an old funeral site known as Pohukaina Tomb said to have a great chief resting in it. This has made the belief of the land being blessed and protected by his spirit, so it was a perfect place to build a royal palace. It is also said to be built on land once a heiau Ka‘ahaimauli, a holy temple.

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Kamehameha II and Queen Kamāmalu were buried here after dying of measles, and ever since it was used as a royal burial ground and for the ruling class known as ali’i. Although, in recent times, 18 coffins were removed and moved to the Royal Mausoleum in Nu’uanu Valley. Still, there are still warning signs on the fenced in area telling people to stay away from the sacred ground.

Queen Liliʻuokalani Haunting the ʻIolani Palace

One of the most chilling encounters involves the sighting of a regal figure believed to be Queen Liliʻuokalani herself. Every morning at 5:30 she is seen walking over the grounds in her black dress and in the window of her bedroom on the second floor where she was imprisoned. The ghost of Queen Liliʻuokalani is seen most frequently in the palace’s Throne Room and the Queen’s Imprisonment Room, her apparition is described as a solemn presence, her face etched with a mix of sorrow and strength.

Queen Liliʻuokalani never accepted the demands posed to her and she decided to abdicate instead. The rest of her life she lived as a private citizen and died in 1917 in Honolulu in her home known as Washington Place.

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Today, visitors and staff of ʻIolani Palace frequently report eerie experiences that suggest the presence of lingering spirits. One of the most common phenomena is the sound of ghostly piano music echoing through the grand halls. When checking the security camera though, there is no one pressing the keys at all.

The piano is put in the ʻIolani Palace room known as the Blue Room. The piano is secured by bolted glass and the security guards on duty are said to not have access to the key. Even with all this protection, the guards and curators working there are still said to hear the piano songs.

This music, often attributed to Queen Liliʻuokalani, who was an accomplished composer and musician, seems to play without any discernible source, sending chills down the spines of those who hear it as a sense of sadness.

In her old bedroom an alarm goes off once a month even though no one has been there. In the hallways visitors keep complaining about the smell of cigarettes, when no one smokes, something the Queen loved.

Ghost of King Kalākaua and his Queen Kapi‘olani

The last royal couple living in the ʻIolani Palace until their reign was over, is also said to haunt it. They were said to love the island’s traditional music, and if we are to believe in the rumors, they still do, even in death.

Blood relatives of the royal family, even distant ones, are said to hear loud chanting and music coming from their old bedroom upstairs. Although non-locals, strangers and tourists, hear nothing.

Other Ghosts Said to Haunt the ʻIolani Palace

According to the guards, the best time to catch sight of a ghost is around 5:30 am for some reason. Lights in the ʻIolani Palace are also known to flicker mysteriously, despite there being no electrical issues. Lights and torches wandering around appear in the window. This erratic behavior of the lights adds to the unsettling atmosphere, as if the spirits of the past are still making their presence known in the only way they can.

There is also the issue with the burial places, with the burial site being filled up by the nobles and in the end, both chiefs and servants were buried in unmarked graves around the place, making the location filled with souls.

The basement of ʻIolani Palace is particularly rife with paranormal activity. Shadows flit about the corridors, and faint whispers can be heard, as if the walls themselves are trying to speak of the injustices and heartache witnessed within. Staff members feel uneasy in the former wine cellar and kitchen.

The Banyan Trees in the Courtyard

When the palace opened in the 1880s, Queen Kapi‘olani planted two banyan trees on the grounds. They later grew into a whole group of trees, rumored to be haunted, holding spirits of the dead.

Read also: Cristalina’s Haunted Banyan Tree in Saligao Village. This article goes a little more into depth about why Banyan trees are often considered to be haunted.

There is not necessarily royalty haunting these trees though, but spirits of those who have no families to care for them and it is advised to not touch the trees.

Banyan Trees near Iolani Palace — **Haunted Banyan Trees:** Some of the Banyan Trees near ʻIolani Palace that are said to have a haunted energy surrounding them. // Loren Javier/Flickr

The Royal Haunting of ʻIolani Palace

As a historic site and a living museum, ʻIolani Palace continues to attract thousands of visitors each year, drawn not only by its architectural splendor and historical significance but also by its haunting reputation. For many, the chance to possibly glimpse the spirits of Hawaii’s past monarchs adds an irresistible allure to their visit, listening to the enchanting notes from the locked up piano, to the traditional Hawaiian music seeping in from the walls.