Iolani Palace stands as one of the few remaining vestiges of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi—a stunning architectural gem nestled in the heart of Honolulu. While its beauty is undeniable, the palace also serves as a powerful symbol and reminder of the colonization and forced overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom by the United States. It's a painful and shameful chapter of American history that must not be forgotten or glossed over.
I’ve always found it deeply ironic that the first official state visit by a foreign head of state to the United States was made by King Kalākaua of Hawaiʻi in 1874. Just 19 years later, the very kingdom he ruled would be overthrown, its sovereignty dismantled, and eventually absorbed as a U.S. territory—ultimately becoming the 50th state in 1959. The story of ʻIolani Palace is more than just a relic of the past; it is a testament to resilience and a call to remember the truth of what was lost.
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