Across the street from 'Iolani Palace sits Ali'iolani Hale.
Built in 1874 by King Kamehameha V, the building was originally
intended to house the royal palace and serve as the seat of
government. Due to escalating costs--even then building costs
could get out of control--the palace portion was skipped--giving
the subsequent king--Kalakaua--something to build. The story
about this property that I find most interesting relates to the
statue in front. It was cast in Paris, France in 1883 and is a
monument to King Kamehameha I, also known as "King Kamehameha
the Great." As the statue made its way from France to Hawai'i,
the ship that was carrying it sank near the Falkland Islands. So
a second statue--this one--was commissioned and, eventually,
installed in front of Ali'iolani Hale. Surprisingly, though, the
first one was eventually recovered, cleaned up and placed in
Kapa'au on Big Island--the birthplace of King Kamehameha I.
Every year on the day set aside as a state holiday--June 11--
both statues are adorned wi