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, ʻIolani Palace, and was commissioned during the tenure of Hawaii’s second governor, 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 designed to resemble coconut trees and are arranged in pairs of eight on both sides to represent the eight main islands of Hawaii.

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

The grounds of the Capitol also feature several noteworthy monuments. Begin on the west side of the building, where you will find the statue of Queen Liliʻuokalani standing in the Capitol Mall between the Capitol and ʻIolani Palace. From there, walk toward the main Capitol entrance and look for the replica of the Liberty Bell. Nearby stands the statue of Father Damien, the Catholic priest who cared for people with leprosy on Molokaʻi for sixteen years and was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009. As you continue around the grounds, look for the two military memorials honoring Hawaiian service members, which add a solemn note to the civic setting.