Nā Kiaʻi

The Miracle of Preservation

The fact that we can walk through these rooms at all is a miracle. That miracle is owed to a group of determined women: the Daughters of Hawaiʻi. Their story is not a footnote in the palace's history. It is the reason the palace has a history to tell in the 21st century. Theirs is a story of foresight, courage, and an unwavering sense of kuleana.

A Stand Against the Tide: How Seven Women Saved a Palace

The Daughters of Hawaiʻi was founded in 1903 by seven remarkable women. They were the daughters of American Protestant missionaries. But they were born in Hawaiʻi and were citizens of the Hawaiian Kingdom before its 1893 overthrow. With foresight that can only be called visionary, they saw that Hawaiian culture was at risk of being lost.

By the 1920s, their mission faced a huge test at Huliheʻe. After passing from royal hands in 1914, the palace had been left to decay. By 1924, it was in ruins. Its grand grounds so overgrown with weeds that the house itself was completely hidden from the road. The Daughters began a long campaign. They successfully lobbied the Territorial Legislature to purchase the property in 1925 with the intent of creating a museum.

The Battle for Hawaiʻi's Soul

They took possession in 1927, at a time when historic preservation was of little interest to the powers that be. Their victory was immediately threatened. The powerful Inter-Island Steam Navigation Company saw the palace grounds as the most desirable oceanfront location in Kailua-Kona for a new hotel. They began to pressure the Daughters to give up the property.

This fight was more than a dispute over real estate. It was a battle for Hawaiʻi's soul. On one side stood commerce and development, eager to build a modern tourist destination. On the other stood a small group of women armed with a fierce dedication to culture and history.

A Century of Kuleana

Saving the palace was only the beginning. The Daughters took on the huge task of restoration. They cleared the grounds and, with careful effort, began tracking down the original royal furnishings and artifacts. These had been sold off decades earlier by Prince Kūhiō. They convinced the new owners to sell or donate them back to the palace.

Their work has continued for nearly a century. They have guided the palace through major restorations. This includes extensive repairs after the damaging 2006 Kīholo Bay earthquake and the 2011 tsunami, which damaged the seawall and precious kāhili. Thanks to their efforts, an estimated 80-85% of the collection on display today is original to the monarchy period.

Modern Day Guardians: Keeping the Flame Alive

Today, under current leaders like Regent and President Manu Powers, the Daughters continue their kuleana. They face the constant, modern-day challenges of preserving a historic structure against the relentless salt, sun, and sea. They advocate for funding for critical repairs to the palace foundation and seawall. This ensures its survival for future generations.