HONOLULU (KHON2) — In the heart of Honolulu stands a building where some of the most significant events in Hawaiʻi’s history unfolded.
The King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center is housed in a stately building that once served as the legislative and judicial seat of the Hawaiian Kingdom. It offers a window into Hawaiʻi’s complex legal past.
It is a place where visitors can trace the roots of Hawai‘i’s legal system, witness the overthrow of the Kingdom and explore the evolution of law in the islands.
Through guided tours, special programs and educational exhibits, the Center illuminates a fascinating history of governance, sovereignty and civil rights. It also provides an important space for examining how history impacts the present.
A place with a legacy
You have the opportunity to explore 1,000 years of judicial history, from Hawaiʻi’s traditional Kapu system to the courts and laws we know today.
The Judiciary Center is the nation’s first history museum dedicated to the U.S. judicial branch. Since its opening in 1989, the Center has connected Hawaiʻi’s Judiciary with the public and welcomes more than100,000 visitors annually.
The building itself, known as Aliʻiōlani Hale, is named after King Kamehameha V who commissioned its construction in the 1870s.
According to Matt Mattice, Executive Director of the King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center, “The building is incredibly symbolic, not just because of its architectural beauty, but because it has witnessed pivotal moments in Hawaiian history, especially the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawai‘i in 1893.”
Mattice has worked at the Center for more than 30 years. He explained that the building’s history stretches back to a time when Hawai‘i was an independent kingdom with its own legal system.
“This was the seat of government for the Kingdom of Hawai‘i until the overthrow,” he said. “The Hawaiian monarchy’s legislative and executive offices were across the street at Iolani Palace, but the judiciary remained here throughout those turbulent times.”
As Mattice explained, the overthrow of Queen Lili‘uokalani in 1893 marked a significant turning point in Hawai‘i’s history.
“In this very building, 13 men who called themselves the Committee of Safety gathered and declared the establishment of the Provisional Government that led to the annexation of Hawai‘i by the United States. So, this building holds the weight of both the rise and fall of the Hawaiian Kingdom,” he reflected.
Despite the overthrow and subsequent changes, the judiciary remained in Aliʻiōlani Hale throughout.
Today, the continued presence of the Supreme Court in the same building is a powerful symbol of resilience.
“The judiciary has been here the entire time since the building opened in 1874, even through the monarchy’s collapse,” said Mattice.
A center for education and reflection
The King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center offers an immersive experience for those interested in understanding Hawaiʻi’s past, present and future.
Keahe Davis, the Education Director, explained that the mission of the Center is to explore Hawai‘i’s legal history while encouraging contemporary reflection.
“We’re not just telling the story of the movers and shakers of our past, we also focus on the everyday people who were affected by the law,” Davis noted. “From the plantations to the military’s impact during World War II, there are so many facets of Hawai‘i’s legal history that shaped the lives of local people.”
Davis has been with the Center for 16 years, and his deep passion for Hawai‘i’s history and its law is evident in the way he described the educational programs.
“We offer tours that cover a wide range of topics, from civil rights to labor law and even martial law during World War II. We focus on how laws were enacted and how they impacted the people of Hawai‘i, especially Native Hawaiians and immigrant communities,” he explained.
One of the most significant periods Davis highlighted is the imposition of martial law during World War II, which lasted from Dec. 7, 1941, until October 1944.
“Martial law had a profound impact on Hawai‘i’s civilian population. Courts were closed, and military officers acted as judges. Many people were detained without being charged, some for the duration of the war,” Davis explained. She points to the landmark legal case Duncan v. Kahanamoku, which challenged military detention practices. “This case is still studied in law schools today and is often cited in cases involving military detainees, such as those held at Guantanamo Bay.”
Educating the next generation
A core aspect of the Center’s mission is to educate Hawai‘i’s youth about their legal history and the civic processes that shape their lives.
Davis oversees the Center’s educational programs, which include guided tours for students ranging from elementary school to college.
“Our programs are designed to engage students in understanding civics, law, and the importance of being informed about the past,” he said.
Mattice echoes the importance of educating the younger generation and emphasized that the Center’s work provides context for Hawai‘i’s current social and political climate.
“Looking to our past helps us understand where we are today and where we are going,” he said. “It gives our keiki [children] a sense of place and history, and it helps them realize that they have the agency to affect change in their communities.”
Davis said that students’ interactions with the material often leads to powerful reflections.
“When students engage with our programs, they really start to understand the relevance of our history in today’s world. Many of them are surprised by how much it still impacts them personally,” he said.
Keeping history alive: Public programs and outreach
In addition to student tours, the Center also offers a variety of public programs designed to engage the broader community.
These programs focus on contemporary issues in law and policy while also offering deep dives into the island’s legal history.
“The history is the foundation of what we do here, but we also connect it to current issues,” said Davis. “We address contemporary topics like environmental law, sovereignty, and civil rights. It’s a way of grounding the community in the past while looking to the future.”
Mattice added, “Our programs are designed not just to educate but also to provoke thought and dialogue about where we are as a society. The more we understand the history of law in Hawai‘i, the better equipped we are to navigate today’s challenges.”
One of the most notable programs offered by the Center is the Judiciary Speakers Bureau where judges visit schools and community groups to talk about the law and the judicial process.
“It’s a great way to bring the law to life for young people,” explained Mattice. “The students get to ask questions and see the judicial process in action. They even argue a case in their classrooms before the actual case is heard in court. It’s an incredible opportunity for them to engage with the legal system.”
Davis highlighted that this outreach extends beyond the classroom.
“We’re constantly looking for ways to involve the community in our work,” he explained. “Whether it’s through volunteering as docents or partnering with local organizations, we welcome all who are interested in helping us tell Hawai‘i’s legal story.”
A bright future
Looking ahead, the King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center plans to update and expand its exhibits to include more voices and perspectives, particularly those of Native Hawaiians and immigrant groups.
As Mattice explained, “We’re in the process of renovating our exhibits to incorporate more recent research and sources. We want to tell a fuller story of how Hawai‘i’s legal system evolved and how different groups of people, both Native Hawaiians and settlers, contributed to that process.”
This renovation project is a major undertaking, and the Center is actively fundraising to support it.
“We’re working with a design firm to update the exhibits, and we’re looking for partners and donors to help bring this vision to life,” said Mattice.
Visiting the center
The King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center is open to the public Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Admission is free, and the Center welcomes both self-guided tours and group tours.
Those interested in learning more about Hawai‘i’s legal history can also explore online exhibits that include digitized historical documents from the Kingdom period.
Davis encouraged visitors to take advantage of the wealth of resources available.
“Whether you’re a student, a teacher, or just someone interested in history, there’s something for everyone here,” he added. “We also have a YouTube channel where we post recordings of our public programs; so, if you can’t make it in person, you can still engage with our work online.”
For those interested in supporting the Center, there are opportunities to donate or volunteer.
“We’re always looking for people who want to contribute to the work we do,” said Mattice. “Whether it’s through a donation, volunteering, or simply spreading the word about our programs, every bit helps.”
The King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center is more than just a museum. It is a living testament to Hawai‘i’s complex and often turbulent legal history.
It offers a chance to reflect on the past while educating the public about the role of law in shaping the present and future of Hawai‘i.
As Davis concluded, “It’s about understanding where we’ve been so we can chart a better path forward.”
You can click here to learn more about the museum. You don’t need an appointment to visit, but you do need to schedule a tour for groups. They’re always looking for docents, too.
Through the preservation of Hawaiʻi’s legal history, we as a people can honor our past, enlighten our present and inspire our future.
By preserving and sharing this important history, the Center continues to fulfill its mission of educating the people of Hawai‘i — and beyond — about the critical intersections of law, culture and society.