The King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Centre is an administrative programme, museum, and educational centre operated by the Hawaii State Judiciary. Located within Aliiolani Hale, the Kingdom of Hawaii’s former capitol building, the centre operates a history museum and hosts educational programmes exploring the judicial process and legal history of the state of Hawaii.

Resources offered at the centre include tours and workshops, public programmes, and exhibits that showcase the varied collection of museum artefacts. Admission to the centre and its museum are free, and both self-guided and guided tours are available.

King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Centre - one of the highlights of 10 Best Museums in Honolulu (Read all about Honolulu here)

Highlights of the King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Centre

The King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Centre was constructed in 1874 as the Capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii, housing all major branches of government at the time. The centre was named in honour of Kamehameha V, the current ruler at that time, who had ascended to the throne in 1863.

Today the centre houses the Hawaii State Supreme Court, and the Judiciary Administration. The museum’s collection explores over 1,000 years of Hawaiian judiciary history, spanning from the ancient Hawaiian’s kapu system to today’s modern courts and laws. Collections include films and artefacts, a gallery on former Hawaiian monarchs, and a historic courtroom.

Good to know when visiting the King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Centre

Additional resources available from the King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Centre include a variety of educator resources for grades K-12, available online, as well as professional development resources. The Centre hosts a variety of public programming events throughout the year, including film screenings, lectures, and round-table discussions, available online.

The King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Centre is wheelchair accessible, and offers accessible facilities within the centre. Additional accommodation resources are provided for online programmes, with more information available on their website. Be sure to check the website for the dates of your visit to see what events are on the schedule.

King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Centre

Location: 417 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA

Open: Monday—Friday from 8 am to 4 pm (closed Saturday—Sunday)

Phone: +1 808-539-4999

This article includes opinions of the Go Guides editorial team. Hotels.com compensates authors for their writings appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.

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