Washington Place

"I loved looking at the grounds, the architecture, and everything inside of Washington Place... I also enjoyed learning about the building and those who lived there. That being said, I do have one complaint that almost ruined our experience. The lady who was in charge of the tour may need to change how she does things. She is sweet as can be, but she is also extremely difficult to hear and she has the tendency to go on... and on... and on... it just never ends. We would stand and wait in one section of the building for 20-30 minutes at a time while she rambled, going off-topic many times before finally moving to the next thing. She also didn't seem to notice (or care) that literally all of the guests were impatient and ready to move on. We couldn't just leave because, as she said, the guard on duty had to let us out and he didn't until the end. PLEASE allow guests to roam each area and read the different notations themselves... supervised by a guide, of course. That way, it can be self-paced and we can ask questions if need be. It would be MUCH more enjoyable and much more time efficient."

"I definitely would recommend coming here and getting the tour. It takes about 1.5 hours to do the tour, so plan parking accordingly."

"Took a tour today with Sylvia as the docent. She was knowledgeable, witty, and full of aloha. The building/grounds are immaculate and full of history. Anyone that wants to learn more about the past/present of Hawaii should take this one hour tour. As a footnote, there’s a flock of rose-ringed parakeets that make the grounds of Washington Place their home."

"Washington Place is a Greek Revival palace in the Hawaii Capital Historic District in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. It was where Queen Liliʻuokalani was arrested during the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Later it became the official residence of the Governor of Hawaiʻi. In 2007, it was designated as a National Historic Landmark. The current governor's residence was built in 2008 behind the historic residence, and is located on the same grounds as Washington Place. William Little Lee made Washington Place his home from 1849–1854. Lee was instrumental in integrating a Western legal system in the Hawaiian Islands, based upon the Massachusetts model. Lee also authored the Great Mahele, which introduced private land ownership into Hawaiian culture. Lydia Kamakaeha Pākī, the future Queen Liliʻuokalani and the Heir Apparent to the throne of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi, married John Owen Dominis in 1862, making Washington Place the private residence of the princess and future queen. Another Massachusetts lawyer, Alfred S. Hartwell, rented a guest room from 1868 until 1872. He describes Mary as still expecting her husband to return any day. Mary Dominis died on April 25, 1889, and John Owen Dominis died on August 27, 1891, leaving the property to Liliʻuokalani, who had just become Queen after the death of her brother, King Kalākaua."

"Had the rare opportunity to visit and see the newly completed renovations. Also met the governor and his wife."