Queen Emma Summer Palace
Queen Emma Summer Palace
4.5
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 3:30 PM
About
Five minutes by car from downtown Honolulu graces what was once the secluded mountain home and summer retreat of Queen Emma, consort to King Kamehameha IV of Hawaiʻi. Now a historic house museum dedicated to preserving the rich legacy of the royal family, Hānaiakamalama, known today as Queen Emma Summer Palace, is a timeless symbol of classic Hawaiian elegance and contemporary style. The Palace was built in 1848, access may be limited for visitors who have difficulty climbing stairs. Situated in the coolness of Nu‘uanu Valley, Hānaiakamalama was used as a retreat for the royal family to escape the court life of Honolulu from 1857 to 1885. The Daughters of Hawai‘i saved the home from demolition in 1915 to avoid construction of a baseball field. Hānaiakamalama is listed on the State and National Historic Registries and houses a collection of Queen Emma’s belongings, antiques, furnishings and royal regalia.
Duration: < 1 hour
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See what travelers are saying
- Christina MPhoenix, Arizona5 contributionsGreat experienceEven though the place was closed on the day we arrived, the Grounds facilitator was fantastic to talk with. Including his beautiful dogs. So lovely. He told us a little about the history and some exploring suggestions around. He was a retired Honolulu cop and was a gem. Thank you for the suggestions. It was amazing!Visited April 2024Traveled with familyWritten April 16, 2024
- knf;dv nad'vxlj xVirginia Beach, Virginia9 contributionsNice rainy day activity!Enjoyed visiting on a rainy day. The summer palace provides a fascinating glimpse into the lives of some of Hawai'i's last royals. We enjoyed learning more about the royal family and seeing how they lived at their special get-away that was less formal than the palace in Honolulu.Visited April 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten June 6, 2024
- ValarnWellington, New Zealand2 contributionsBeautiful Iconic buildingHaving visited the Iolani Palace we decided to also visit this exquisite Summer palace of Queen Emma's. As we were a walk-in we did our own tour around this small building although there were a couple of volunteers on site to ask questions. Ok to take pictures without flash. Lovely collections to view. Parking was a bit of an issue on-site (due to a dance class in the adjacent building) so best to book your tour ahead to probably avoid that problem. No refreshments on site but they have a good gift shop. Well worth a visit.Visited August 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten September 19, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
384 reviews
Excellent
233
Very good
110
Average
38
Poor
3
Terrible
0
Bob G
Plainview, New York32 contributions
Jan 2020
Our guide took us to this underappreciated off the beaten track home which is furnished with the beautiful items owned by Queen Emma. We took a guided tour and the docent was knowledgeable and enthusiastic. I only gave four stars because it is quite small.
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fleeing Boston
Wailuku, HI31 contributions
Feb 2021
It's a nice small scale place to learn some Hawaiian history. The house was shipped from Boston disassembled and reassembled on site - so being from Boston it was an oddly dislocating place to be in. Cost as noted is still correct - prebooked tours are the *only* way you can visit during COVID, and they are scheduled every couple of hours through the day with a limit of 4 people per tour group. The guided tour is part of the regular admission charge. Covid protocols firmly in place.
Written February 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike H
Phoenix, AZ2,014 contributions
Feb 2020
As you head up the Pali Highway you will go by the drive into Queen Emma's Summer Palace. You have to be watchful for the sign that is after Laimi Road. the sign is at the drive on the right but if you pass it you can take the next 3 rights and go back on around to the Pali Road again at Laimi Road.
The Palace is filled with period furniture and much of it is from the Queen. The docent said that the queen was able to see the ocean from the front porch but not anymore with all the buildings that are there now.
The inside includes a music room, 2 bedrooms, entry hall, a large gathering room with display cabinets.
Outside there is a small stream that runs along side of the property with some gardens.
The ticket office also is a gift shop.
The Palace is filled with period furniture and much of it is from the Queen. The docent said that the queen was able to see the ocean from the front porch but not anymore with all the buildings that are there now.
The inside includes a music room, 2 bedrooms, entry hall, a large gathering room with display cabinets.
Outside there is a small stream that runs along side of the property with some gardens.
The ticket office also is a gift shop.
Written March 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Monte David Z
Fort Worth, TX44 contributions
Jan 2020
The parking lot is small because so few people seem to visit here. the price was very reasonable. The docents were wonderful! Most places like this allow you to just look into a room from the doorway. Here you get to walk into each room and get up close to everything. They expect you to be responsible and not touch anything. The self tour is only about 30 minutes. Take time to ask the docents questions and be prepared to learn a lot!
Written January 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RichH6109
Yorkshire103 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
I won’t lie and say there’s a great deal to do at the Queen Emma palace. On a non-guided tour, we took around 25 minutes to see the site. Considering this, the entry price (for adults at least) is a little steep.
However, we visited after being stuck on the road for more than two hours so we were thankful of the tranquility and the airy spaces. As part of the Go Card it’s probably worth a visit if you are in the area.
However, we visited after being stuck on the road for more than two hours so we were thankful of the tranquility and the airy spaces. As part of the Go Card it’s probably worth a visit if you are in the area.
Written August 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JW W
St. Petersburg, FL444 contributions
Feb 2019
It has been some time since my visit to the Queens Summer Home. I will never forget the feeling of empowerment of this woman and how important she was for her people. A must see to get the feel of what it must have been like in the 1800s too.
Written January 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kccote
8 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
Definitely worth the visit if your into architecture, history and rain forests. I saw some complaints about the fees but you have to remember that the only thing supporting the museum are the entry tickets. I enjoyed learning more about Queen Emma and seeing the original furniture. What craftsmanship! Definitely check out the gift shop for locally crafted items. This is also a great stop on the way to Nu‘uanu Pali Lookout.
Written August 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Glen N
1 contribution
Jan 2020
We arrive to very small parking lot. The gift shop is in the back where you pay your admission which is reasonalbe. You take off your shoes upon entering the house. The docents were busy with a large group. So we began our tour reading the information on the cards provided when we paid our admission. After the large group left, the docent asked if we had any questions, then proceeded give wealth of information not on the card. Very helpful. Most of the items in the house are authentic. This added the the mystic of the Hawaiian royals. Very nice visit.
Written January 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Valarn
Wellington, New Zealand2 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
Having visited the Iolani Palace we decided to also visit this exquisite Summer palace of Queen Emma's. As we were a walk-in we did our own tour around this small building although there were a couple of volunteers on site to ask questions. Ok to take pictures without flash. Lovely collections to view. Parking was a bit of an issue on-site (due to a dance class in the adjacent building) so best to book your tour ahead to probably avoid that problem. No refreshments on site but they have a good gift shop.
Well worth a visit.
Well worth a visit.
Written September 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rachel S
Las Vegas, NV820 contributions
Sep 2024 • Couples
Finally got a chance to visit the Queen Emma's Summer Palace. I first heard of Queen Emma when I saw her portrait at Kawaiaha'o Church back in 2001 and I've slowly been making my way around the islands to check out places relevant to the Hawaiian monarchy.
This summer palace is basically just a small house with some historic furniture and items from various Hawaiian royals as of the 1800's. Many items and places other than the main house were gone as this house was salted for demolition to make way for a baseball field. Luckily, a historic society was able to save this main house a week before demolition.
My husband and I paid for a docent-led tour. There were a few other couples and we were all asked to remove our shoes and leave them outside before walking into the home. Although they do have booties upon request, make sure to wear socks if you are shy about walking barefoot in public.
The docent was fairly knowledgeable about the royal family but couldn't always answer questions about some of the artifacts inside the house, specifically the various vessels in the dining room / guest room. I did feel like I came away with having learnt things I didn't already know.
Overall, it was a short tour as the property is quiet small, but if you're interested in Hawaiian history, this is a place you should be visiting.
Visited September 2024
This summer palace is basically just a small house with some historic furniture and items from various Hawaiian royals as of the 1800's. Many items and places other than the main house were gone as this house was salted for demolition to make way for a baseball field. Luckily, a historic society was able to save this main house a week before demolition.
My husband and I paid for a docent-led tour. There were a few other couples and we were all asked to remove our shoes and leave them outside before walking into the home. Although they do have booties upon request, make sure to wear socks if you are shy about walking barefoot in public.
The docent was fairly knowledgeable about the royal family but couldn't always answer questions about some of the artifacts inside the house, specifically the various vessels in the dining room / guest room. I did feel like I came away with having learnt things I didn't already know.
Overall, it was a short tour as the property is quiet small, but if you're interested in Hawaiian history, this is a place you should be visiting.
Visited September 2024
Written October 3, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
$10 adult $8 military and children
Written February 22, 2018
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