A Mystery at Iolani Palace

Where is King Kalākaua’s Bed?

By Zita Cup Choy, Iolani Palace Historian

When Iolani Palace was under construction in 1881, Colonel Charles H. Judd, the King’s Chamberlain and private secretary, traveled with his wife to the United States. While on the continent, they visited many furniture manufacturers and settled on the A. H. Davenport Co. of Boston.

This large set of Gothic Revival style furniture was for the public rooms on the first floor and the Royal Family’s private living quarters on the second floor of Iolani Palace. The Boston Herald reported that the furniture for the King’s Bedroom was all made of ebony, with the exception of the bedframe. The bed was another type of wood, decorated with ebony and gold moldings. The Queen’s suite was of mahogany, while the furniture for the guest bedrooms, adjacent to the Queen’s bedroom, were made of cherry and oiled walnut.

We are fortunate that the furniture of the four bedroom suites were each made with a different wood, making it easier to identify them over a century later. Each bedroom set included a bed, two wardrobes, two dressing tables, 12 chairs, lounges, and drapery poles.

On August 21, 1882, the furniture arrived in Honolulu.  In 1893, after the Palace became a government office building, furniture that could not be used was sold. The Friends of Iolani Palace has been quite successful in locating and welcoming back much of the furniture.

Currently in our collection are three of the four original beds. The big mystery is where is King Kalākaua’s bed?  Also missing is the mate to Queen Kapi‘olani’s dining room chair which was made for the King.

Most Wanted Items at Iolani Palace

After King Kalākaua’s death, the death of Queen Lili‘uokalani, and the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy, much of the Palace contents were sold at public auction. As part of its mission to preserve, restore, and share the spirit the historic site, The Friends of Iolani Palace continues to search for original Palace and monarchy furnishings and treasures. Some of the largest pieces of furniture are still missing. If you think you may have original furniture or other objects from the Palace collections, or have information about their whereabouts, please contact the collections department.