417 South King Street, Honolulu, HI 96813
TMK
(1) 2-1-025:003
SHPD Historic Site Number
80-14-1321
National Register of Historic Places
#72000414
Since 1874, Ali‘iōlani Hale has been the home of the Hawai‘i Supreme Court. The building was commissioned by King Kamehameha V and built between 1871 and 1874. The name means “house of Heavenly Kings.” The name Ali‘iōlani was one of the given names of Kamehameha V. He laid the cornerstone in 1872, but died before the building was completed. It was dedicated in 1874 by King David Kalākaua.
Originally designed as a palace, King Kamehameha V instead decided to use it as a government office building for the growing kingdom. It held the executive offices, legislature and judiciary. After the overthrow of the sovereign in 1893, the legislature and administrative functions were relocated to Iolani Palace, leaving Ali‘iōlani Hale for the courts. The Hawai‘i Judiciary remains the primary occupant. The King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center is also located in the building and provides public exhibits and programs related to Hawai‘i’s legal history.
Ali‘iōlani Hale was designed by Thomas Rowe of Sydney, Australia and is constructed of concrete blocks that were cast and fitted to resemble cut stone, with a coral foundation to support the concrete block walls. The interior features two open rotundas with lantern roofs, and the exterior walls are lined with arched entrances and windows. The central clock tower is four stories high and has dials facing each of the four directions.
This list of Hawai‘i’s historic properties is provided as a public service by Historic Hawai‘i Foundation. It is not the official list of properties designated on the Hawai‘i State Register of Historic Places. For official designations and determinations of eligibility, contact the State Historic Preservation Division of the Department of Land and Natural Resources of the State of Hawai‘i at 808-692-8015.