Queen Emma Summer Palace or Hānaiakamalama, was the secluded mountain-home and summer retreat of Queen Emma of Hawai‘i from 1857 to 1885, her husband King Kamehameha IV and their son, Prince Albert Edward. Queen Emma inherited the home from her uncle, John Young II, son of John Young I an advisor to King Kamehameha I. Situated in the coolness of Nu‘uanu Valley, the home was used as a retreat for the royal family to escape the oppressive heat of Honolulu.

Originally built in 1847, the Daughters of Hawai‘i acquired the home in 1915, narrowly avoiding the demolition of the house and construction of a baseball field on the grounds. The Territorial Government granted the Daughters the use of the home and 22,750 square feet of the grounds as long as the home was used and maintained as a museum. Hānaiakamalama is listed on the National Historic Registry and houses a collection of Queen Emma’s belongings, antiques, furnishings and royal regalia. Today the Palace is a historic landmark, museum, and tourist site preserved by the Daughters of Hawai‘i.

Private Tours

30 min Docent Guided
Limited to 9 people per tour
Available Tuesday, 9 AM to 2 PM
Available Wednesday, 9 AM to 3 PM
Available Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, 9 PM to 4 PM

Book Your Tour

Limited parking available on site.

Group Tours

For groups of more than 10 people, please call one-week prior to visiting to schedule a guided tour (808) 451-0012.

School Field Trips

Our tour teaches keiki an important part of Hawaiian history as they walk through the former summer home of Queen Emma, King Kamehameha IV, and their son Prince Albert, and learn of the royal family’s contributions to Hawaiʻi education, healthcare, and culture. We recommend a guided tour for K-12 levels and require that school organizers bring one chaperone for every 10 students.

For tour prices and to make arrangements for your school field trip, please email Haylie at haylie@daughtersofhawaii.org or call (808) 451-0012.

Accessibility

Because the Palace was built in the nineteenth century, access may not be available for visitors who have difficulties climbing stairs. We are happy to make alternative arrangements for visitors who have difficulty climbing stairs. Please call (808) 451-0012 in advance to make arrangements.

Facility Rental

WINNER of the “Best of 2016” Wedding Spot Award!

Located in lush Nu‘uanu Valley on the island of O‘ahu,the Queen Emma Summer Palace is the perfect place to hold your meeting, party, wedding or reception. Emmalani Hale, a separate building located next to the palace, provides space for 100-115 people for sit-down eating or entertainment. The Prince Albert Terrace—an uncovered terrace which overlooks a beautifully landscaped park—is also available for rent; this area can be tented, and accommodates 50-80 people.

View Our Rental Options

17 Feb

A Valentine’s Day Remembrance

Aloha kakahiaka, In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, which is right around the corner, it seems appropriate to look back on a news article from
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10 Feb

Buried Treasure

Aloha kakahiaka, We’re back with more intriguing news to share. Here at Hānaiakamalama, demolition work continues at a steady pace. Work in the Edinburgh Room
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04 Feb

Hidden Features Revealed

Aloha kakahiaka, One week into the restoration project and demolition work has already revealed some exciting discoveries! We’ve uncovered long forgotten windows and doors! For
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27 Jan

Restoration of Hānaiakamalama

Aloha kakahiaka, We hope you all had a great Christmas and wonderful New Year! As we kick off the beginning of 2021, we also kick
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08 Oct

Private Tours at Queen Emma Summer Palace

We are pleased and excited to announce the limited re-opening of the Queen Emma Summer Palace by reservation for private tours, Tuesday through Saturday! To
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27 Aug

Temporary Closure of the Queen Emma Summer Palace

As directed by Mayor Caldwell’s Emergency Order– Second Stay at Home Order, beginning on August 27, 2020, the Queen Emma Summer Palace is temporarily closed
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01 Aug

Limited Re-Opening of the Palaces in August

We are pleased and excited to announce the limited re-opening of the Palaces! To ensure the health and safety of visitors, volunteers, and our employees,
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30 Jul

Ho‘omaka Hou

Mahalo to Kahu Hailama Farden, Kahu David, our members and partners who were able to join us for Ho‘omaka Hou, the blessing and re-opening of
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Our guide was very knowledgeable and so inviting. I am originally from the Islands, but I did not know some things our guide was talking about. She also shared some experiences she had in that house….all good. This is a place to visit and never gets old.
PEARLZ808 via TripAdvisor
A hidden gem among the historic sites of Oahu.
The site is just a beautiful facility staffed by well-educated guides who bring the history alive with their passion for the site. Their guides are well educated in the history of the royal family and give you the most knowledgeable tour of the site and the royal family. The guides at the Summer Palace were able to answer questions about the royal family that other royal sites on the island could not. They bring the royal family and the Daughters of Hawaii alive to those who visit.
MRSSWASSOW via TripAdvisor

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A queen strode these halls.

Limited Hours of Operation