Historic Hawaii: Tracing the past at Honolulu’s Iolani Palace

A blend of Victorian and Hawaiian architectural styles, the Iolani Palace was completed in 1882 and is a fascinating testament to the grandeur and opulence of the Hawaiian Kingdom. It stands as a powerful symbol of a bygone era and, for Hawaiian natives, the palace is a direct link to their past as an independent nation before it was illegally and forcefully overtaken on Jan. 17, 1893.

Ultimately, the Hawaiian Islands were annexed by the United States in 1898 and the palace served as the...