Hawaii State Capitol
During your Oahu adventure be sure to save plenty of time to stop at the Hawaii State Capitol, the official statehouse of Hawaii that is located in downtown Honolulu in Oahu.
This grand 1960s building was first commissioned by John A. Burns, the second governor of Hawaii, in 1969. The building replaced Iolani Palace and now holds the Hawaii State Legislature, including the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and all legislative offices. You may be able to get a sneak peek at some of these offices during your visit, or perhaps you will just want to spend some time exploring and admiring the unique architectural elements throughout, including a Hawaii-style atrium, courtyard, memorials, statues, and more.
The architectural style is Hawaii International style, which is essentially an American adaption of the Bauhaus style. There are several natural aspects of Hawaii built into the design, such as the reflecting pool around the building representing the Pacific Ocean around the island of Oahu. You will also notice the 2 legislative chambers are cone-shaped, just like the volcanoes that formed Hawaii. The columns around the building are coconut tree-shaped, and the open-air design of the building overall allows rain, sun, and wind to enter.
Take a self-guided tour of the building while here, start by picking up a tour brochure in room 415.
Fun Fact: Outside you will see a statue of Father/Saint Damien in front, and a statue of Hawaiian Queen Liliuokalani in the back, near Iolani Palace.
