Re-creating the past at Honolulu’s royal residence: New kahili adorn Iolani Palace’s throne room

Long after visiting hours were over, America’s only royal residence got some stunning new artifacts early Tuesday.

In keeping with 19th century tradition, a formal procession began at midnight in which two 16-foot-tall feathered kahili were placed in the throne room of Honolulu’s Iolani Palace.

Construction of the palace began the last day of 1879. King David Kalakaua and Queen Kapiolani later made it their home.

Kahili are the Hawaiian version of the heraldic standards -- in some countries, they are flags -- that are used to recognize royalty.

The newly installed kahili were created to replicate two that were used at the coronation of King Kalakaua. The poles are topped by 22,000 white feathers, gathered from albatross on Midway Island in the Pacific Ocean.

Only royalty could have kahili. In the palace, they are placed on either side of the thrones used by the king and queen. A team of volunteers spent six months crafting them.

Iolani Palace was home to Hawaiian royalty in the late 19th century, before the queen was overthrown by a group of wealthy Americans.

(Tor Johnson / Hawaii Tourism Authority)

The kahili are part of Iolani Palace’s ongoing efforts to bring the regal residence back to its complete original appearance. Many royal possessions disappeared when Queen Liliuokalani was deposed in 1893.

The bloodless coup led to Hawaii becoming a U.S. territory and, in 1959, a state.

Iolani Palace is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays. Self-led audio tours are $14.75 for adults and $6 for children 5-12. Guided tours are $21.75 for adults and still $6 for kids.

ALSO

On Maui, you can get into an equine state of mind by becoming a cowboy for a day

Uber, schmuber. Behold the buses of Pago Pago, American Samoa

Surf’s up and the action’s on as Van’s Triple Crown of Surfing gets ready to roll

Follow us on Twitter at @latimestravel