In 1898 Hawai’i underwent another major change. Since its inception, the Republic of Hawai’i had sought to become a territory of the United States, in order to improve business relations with the major buyer of their goods. After five years the United States finally agreed to annex Hawai’i, and it became an official US territory.
`Iolani Palace continued its role as center of Hawaiian government under territorial rule. During World War II, martial law was declared in the islands for three years and the palace became the headquarters of the military governor.
In 1956, Hawai’i made the transition from territory to state, the 50th state of the Union. `Iolani Palace remained, as it had since its founding in 1881, the center of Hawaiian government in its new role as US state.
Restoration of the Palace
Construction of the new Hawaiian capitol building was completed in 1969. Located right next to `Iolani Palace, it became the new house of the Hawaiian legislature. Government offices in the palace were vacated, allowing restoration of the palace to begin.
During its 75 years as the central government office of Hawaii, the Palace had deteriorated due to neglect. An organization known as the Friends of `Iolani Palace, founded by Mrs. Lili’uokalani Kawananakoa Morris, the grandniece of King Kalakaua’s wife Queen Kapi’olani oversaw the restoration and continues to oversee the operation of the palace to this day.
The goal of the restoration was to bring the Palace back to its former glory and to make it a showcase for the Hawaiian monarchy. It took nine years for the building to be restored to a truly usable quality following the original guidelines of the palace. Restoration also included the retrieval of artifacts from its time as a palace, which continues to this day.