All historic houses to visit in Hawaii

Step into the past at 28 historic houses in Hawaii. These preserved homes offer a glimpse into the lives of notable figures and everyday people from different eras.

Are you interested in exploring historic homes? Here are the must-see historic houses in Hawaii:

  1. Iolani Palace1

    Iolani Palace

     Honolulu, HI
    The 'Iolani Palace is a significant landmark located in the capitol district of downtown Honolulu, in the state of Hawaii, United States. It's a unique piece of American history, being the only royal palace used as an official residence by a reigning monarch in the United States. Its location in the heart of Honolulu makes it easily accessible for tourists.
  2. Queen Emma Summer Palace Museum2

    Queen Emma Summer Palace Museum

     Honolulu, HI
    The Queen Emma Summer Palace, also known as Hānaiakamalama, was a retreat for Queen Emma of Hawaii, her husband King Kamehameha IV, and their son, Prince Albert Edward, from 1857 to 1885. This historic landmark offers a glimpse into the lives of the Hawaiian royalty during the 19th century.
  3. Hawaii Mission Houses Museum3

    Hawaii Mission Houses Museum

     Honolulu, HI
    The Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives, located in Honolulu, Hawaii, is a significant historical site established in 1920. It was founded by the Hawaiian Mission Children's Society, a private, non-profit organization and genealogical society, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the first Christian missionaries in Hawaiʻi. This site offers a unique insight into the history and culture of Hawaii, making it a worthwhile visit for tourists interested in history.
  4. Washington Place4

    Washington Place

     Honolulu, HI
    Washington Place is a historic palace located in downtown Honolulu, Hawaii. It is built in the Greek Revivalist style, which is characterized by its grandeur and elegance. The palace was constructed between 1844 and 1847 for an American merchant, John Dominis, who unfortunately got lost at sea in 1846 when the building was almost ready. The palace was later converted into a boarding house by his widow, Mary. It was named 'Washington Place' in 1848 in honor of George Washington, the first President of the United States.
  5. Huliheʻe Palace5

    Huliheʻe Palace

     Kailua-Kona, HI
    The Huliheʻe Palace is situated in the historic town of Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi, on Ali'i Drive. This location is easily accessible and offers a glimpse into the rich history of the Hawaiian Kingdom. The palace, once a vacation home for Hawaiian royalty, now serves as a museum showcasing furniture and artifacts from the era.
  6. Kauai Museum6

    Kauai Museum

     Lihue, HI
    The Kauaʻi Museum is housed in the historic Albert Spencer Wilcox Building, which was originally opened as a library in 1924. This building, located in Līhuʻe, Kauaʻi, Hawaii, was later converted into the museum that we know today. It's a significant part of the island's history and a testament to the evolution of its cultural institutions.
  7. Waiʻoli Huiʻia Church and Mission House7

    Waiʻoli Huiʻia Church and Mission House

     Hanalei, HI
    The Waiʻoli Mission District, located at Hanalei Bay on Route 560 along the north shore of the island of Kauaʻi, is a historic mission site. The first permanent missionaries arrived in the area in 1834, marking the beginning of its rich history. The district was recognized for its historical significance and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
  8. Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum8

    Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum

     Kahului, HI
    The Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum is situated in the sugarcane growing and milling community of Puʻunene, in Kahului, Maui, Hawaii. The museum showcases the history of Hawaiian sugarcane plantations, and the role of Alexander & Baldwin in the sugarcane industry in Hawaii. The company, which continues to produce sugarcane, has played a significant role in the industry's development.
  9. Queen Emma Summer Palace9

    Queen Emma Summer Palace

     Honolulu, HI
    The Queen Emma Summer Palace, also known as Hānaiakamalama, was a retreat for Queen Emma of Hawaii, her husband King Kamehameha IV, and their son, Prince Albert Edward, from 1857 to 1885. This historical context adds a layer of significance to the site, making it a place of interest for those keen on learning about the Hawaiian monarchy.
  10. Wo Hing Temple Museum10

    Wo Hing Temple Museum

     Lahaina, HI
    The Wo Hing Society Hall, located at 858 Front Street in the Lahaina Historic District in Lahaina, Hawaii, was built around 1912. It served as a social and fraternal hall for the Wo Hing Society, catering to the growing Chinese population in Lahaina, most of whom were working in the sugarcane industry.
  11. Grove Farm Homestead & Sugar Plantation Museum11

    Grove Farm Homestead & Sugar Plantation Museum

     Lihue, HI
    Grove Farm is a significant historical site located on Kauai in the Hawaiian Islands. It was established in 1854 by Hermann A. Widemann, a German immigrant, and is recognized as one of the first sugarcane plantations in Hawaii. This site provides a unique insight into the early agricultural history of the islands and the role of immigrants in shaping its landscape.
  12. Parker Ranch12

    Parker Ranch

     Waimea, HI
    Parker Ranch, located on the Island of Hawaii, is a functioning cattle ranch currently managed by a charitable trust. This ranch has a rich history and continues to operate, providing a unique glimpse into the ranching lifestyle in Hawaii.
  13. Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives13

    Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives

     Honolulu, HI
    In 1962, the Mission Houses and the Kawaiahaʻo Church, both constructed by the early missionaries, were recognized as a U.S. National Historic Landmark under the combined name Kawaiahao Church and Mission Houses.
  14. Lyman Museum and Mission House14

    Lyman Museum and Mission House

     Hilo, HI
    The Lyman House Memorial Museum, also known as the Lyman Museum and Lyman House, is a natural history museum based in Hilo, Hawaii. It was founded in 1931 in the Lyman family mission house, which was originally built in 1838. This makes it a significant historical site, as well as a place of interest for those keen on natural history.
  15. Waiʻoli Mission House15

    Waiʻoli Mission House

     Hanalei, HI
    The Waiʻoli Mission District is located at Hanalei Bay, along Route 560 on the north shore of the island of Kauaʻi. This site is of historical significance as it was the location of a mission. The first permanent missionaries arrived in the area in 1834, and the district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. The building, known as the Wai‘oli Mission House, is now a museum open to the public.
  16. Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii16

    Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii

     Honolulu, HI
    The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii (JCCH) is a cultural center and history museum located in Moiliili, Hawaii. The center primarily focuses on the Japanese-American experience in Hawaii, with a special emphasis on internment. It provides a unique opportunity for visitors to learn about the history and culture of Japanese-Americans in Hawaii.
  17. Hale Hōʻikeʻike at the Bailey House17

    Hale Hōʻikeʻike at the Bailey House

     Wailuku, HI
    Hale Hōʻikeʻike at the Bailey House, also known as the House of Display at Old Bailey House, is a museum situated in Wailuku, on the island of Maui, in Hawaiʻi. This museum is dedicated to the history and art of Hawaii, providing visitors with a comprehensive understanding of the region's cultural and historical background. It is managed by the Maui Historical Society and is a significant part of the Wailuku Civic Center Historic District.
  18. Baldwin Home Museum18

    Baldwin Home Museum

     Lahaina, HI
    In January 1832, Dwight Baldwin was first assigned to the mission in Waimea on the island of Hawaiʻi, where he served with Lorenzo Lyons at Imiola Church. Four years later, in 1836, he was sent to Waineʻe Church, now known as Waiola Church, established by William Richards at Lahaina on the island of Maui. This location became the base for most of his career, marking a significant chapter in his life and the history of the islands.
  19. Anna Ranch Heritage Center19

    Anna Ranch Heritage Center

     Waimea, HI
    The Anna Ranch Heritage Center is a historical site located in Waimea, Hawaii County, Hawaii. It was once a cattle ranch and is named after Anna Leialoha Lindsey Perry-Fiske, who managed the ranch from 1939 until her death in 1995. The ranch has a rich history dating back to the early 19th century and offers a unique insight into the ranching history of Hawaii.
  20. Liljestrand House20

    Liljestrand House

     Honolulu, HI
    The Liljestrand House is a significant architectural landmark in Honolulu, Hawaii. Located at 3300 Tantalus Drive, the house was designed by renowned architect Vladimir Ossipoff for Betty and Howard Liljestrand. The construction of the house was completed in 1952, marking a significant milestone in Ossipoff's career. The house's design and location offer a unique blend of architectural brilliance and natural beauty, making it a point of interest for tourists.
  21. H.N. Greenwell Store Museum21

    H.N. Greenwell Store Museum

     Kealakekua, HI
    The Greenwell Store, a historic building, is currently managed as a museum by the Kona Historical Society. This establishment offers a glimpse into the past, providing visitors with an opportunity to learn about the history of the area and the people who lived there.
  22. 22

    H.N. Greenwell Store Museum - Kona Historical Society

     Kealakekua, HI
    Visit to this shop will take you back in time to 1890s where this shop was a lively hub of the community.
  23. Isaacs Art Center23

    Isaacs Art Center

     Waimea, HI
    The Isaacs Art Center, located in Waimea on the Island of Hawaii, serves as both an art museum and a retail gallery. This unique combination allows visitors to not only appreciate a wide range of art but also purchase pieces that catch their eye. The center is easily accessible and offers a unique cultural experience for those visiting the island.
  24. Kona Coffee Living History Farm - Kona Historical Society24

    Kona Coffee Living History Farm - Kona Historical Society

     Captain Cook, HI
    The Kona Coffee Living History Farm is situated on the Daisaku Uchida Coffee Farm in the Kona District on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. This location offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore a historic coffee farm and learn about the history of coffee farming in the region.
  25. 25

    Hana Cultural Center & Museum

     Hana, HI
    The museum is housed in an ancient courthouse and jail which was used from 1871-1978. Some rare historic artifacts can be found here.
  26. 26

    Spirit of Aloha Botanical Gardens and Bird Sanctuary

     Haiku, HI
    The Spirit of Aloha Oceanfront Botanical Gardens, also known as The Gardens, is a significant nature preserve located in Haiku, Hawaii on the island of Maui. This 11-acre property offers a unique opportunity to explore the rich biodiversity of the region, with its location providing stunning views of Ua'oa Bay in the Pacific Ocean and Papanui o Kane Hawaiian island.
  27. 27

    Lahaina Public Library

     Lahaina, HI
    The site of the current library was used as Kamehameha III royal field and the Brick Palace was built here. Explore the excavations.
  28. 28

    Lanai Culture & Heritage Center

     Lanai City, HI
    Remarkable museum which presents Lanai's natural history, Hawaiian traditions and the history of plantations. Plenty of ancient artifacts!