Lunalilo Building

By royal decree, a king rests near his people. The Lunalilo Mausoleum stands as a testament to the will of Hawaii’s sixth monarch, King Lunalilo. He chose this spot, on the grounds of Kawaiahaʻo Church, to be closer to his people. This decision broke with tradition. Most Hawaiian monarchs are buried in the Royal Mausoleum at Mauna ʻAla. The Lunalilo Mausoleum is a unique structure. It is one of the earliest concrete-block buildings in the United States. The design is Gothic Revival, featuring a Greek cross plan. Paired, diamond-paned lancet windows adorn its sides. A gabled, Gothic-arched portico marks the entrance. An elegant wrought-iron fence, manufactured in England, frames the grounds. King Lunalilo’s reign was short, just a little over a year. He died of tuberculosis in 1874 at the young age of 39. His father, Charles Kanaina, oversaw the construction of the mausoleum and was later laid to rest beside his son. King Lunalilo’s story is one of compassion. Even as he lay dying, he considered his people. He remembered a past feud with the Kamehameha family. They had excluded his own mother from burial in the Royal Mausoleum. This motivated his decision to create his own resting place, one that symbolized his love for the common people. The Lunalilo Mausoleum reminds us that even kings are not immune to family conflict and personal loss. Yet, it also stands as a beacon of hope, showcasing a ruler’s humility and his enduring connection to the people he served. Inside, the two koa wood caskets of Lunalilo and his father rest on a red-carpeted floor. Three kāhili, encased in Italian marble, stand nearby. These feathered standards signify royalty. They represent a final tribute to the “People’s King.” The Lunalilo Building embodies not just a story of a king but a crucial part of Hawaiian history and its unique architectural legacy.