Hawaii State Capitol, Honolulu

Hawaii State Capitol, Honolulu

The Hawaii State Capitol serves as the official government headquarters of Hawaii. It was constructed as a replacement for the previous capitol building, Iolani Palace, and was commissioned during the tenure of the second Governor of Hawaii, John A. Burns.

The architectural design of the building is inspired by Hawaii's natural surroundings. A prominent feature is the large reflecting pool surrounding it, symbolizing the Pacific Ocean. The legislative chambers are uniquely conical in shape, reminiscent of the volcanoes that shaped Hawaii. The columns encircling the building are crafted to resemble coconut trees, arranged in pairs of eight on both sides to represent the eight primary islands of Hawaii.

One distinctive aspect of the design is its openness to the elements, allowing the sun, rain, and wind to freely enter the structure. The central area provides visitors with a view of chandeliers inside the legislative chambers, symbolizing the sun and the moon. Unlike typical capitol buildings with a closed central rotunda, this space is left open to the sky.

The grounds of the capitol also feature several noteworthy monuments. These include a statue of Queen Liliuokalani located in the Capitol Mall, a Liberty Bell, a statue of Father Damien (a Catholic priest who cared for lepers for sixteen years and was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009), and two monuments dedicated to honoring Hawaiian members of the military.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Honolulu. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Hawaii State Capitol on Map

Sight Name: Hawaii State Capitol
Sight Location: Honolulu, USA (See walking tours in Honolulu)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Honolulu, Hawaii

Create Your Own Walk in Honolulu

Create Your Own Walk in Honolulu

Creating your own self-guided walk in Honolulu is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Waikiki Beach Walk

Waikiki Beach Walk

Once the playground of Hawaiian aristocracy stretching along the southern coast of the island of Oahu, Waikiki, or Waikiki Beach, today greets visitors from all walks of life and corners of the globe. This iconic beachfront area of Honolulu, famed for its long rolling ocean break ideal for boarding and surfing, is also home to public places, high-end resort hotels, and an abundance of luxury brand...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Diamond Head Volcano Tour

Diamond Head Volcano Tour

Diamond Head Volcano, an iconic natural landmark, is perhaps one of the best-known attractions on the island of Oahu. While not a traditional volcano in the sense of actively erupting, Diamond Head is a dormant volcanic crater that offers a glimpse into the geological history of the Hawaiian Islands.

The volcano's rugged cone is seen from almost every part of the island. However, at its...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Pearl Harbor Walking Tour

Pearl Harbor Walking Tour

Pearl Harbor, a US deep-water naval base in Honolulu, made history in 1941 when it came under attack by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service prompting the United States to enter World War II. Since 1964, Pearl Harbor has been a National Historic Landmark, featuring a number of military objects and installations-turned-monuments.

The Pearl Harbor National Memorial is at the heart of this...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.9 Km or 3 Miles
Honolulu Downtown Walking Tour

Honolulu Downtown Walking Tour

Honolulu is the largest city in Hawaii and the state's capital. Visitors flock here to enjoy the pristine beaches, beautiful scenery and unique culture. There is much to see and do in Honolulu.

The first residents of Honolulu were probably settled during the 11th century. These Polynesian migrants are thought to have come from Tahiti. King Kamehameha I conquered Oahu and claimed the area...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


16 Hawaiian Products To Bring Home from Honolulu

16 Hawaiian Products To Bring Home from Honolulu

Pineapples, surfing, flower garlands and colorful shirts are the most distinct things coming to mind in association with Hawaii. Still, when it's time to go leisurely-pleasurely in the remotest part of the United States, it is good to know what is there exactly worth picking up in Honolulu, as...