Iolani Palace egg hunt includes display of children’s finery

Kids who fuss about having to wear their Easter best for church, Sunday brunch or a holiday visit to Tutu’s can gain perspective at Iolani Palace, which will display some of the costumes worn by children who attended a fancy dress ball hosted by Queen Liliuokalani in 1892.

The special throne room exhibit is part of the palace’s free inaugural Royal Egg Hunt event Saturday.

The collection from the palace’s vaults includes pieces never seen by the public in recent times. A pink satin tailcoat worn by William Hyman was described at the time as “French Page Louis XV,” and a red velvet and lace ensemble worn by Mater Allison Jordan evokes “Little Lord Fauntleroy.”

And today’s parents will recognize the sour look of impatience on the faces of young ballgoers Else Schaefer and her sister as they were photographed in their finery. Their vintage images are also part of the exhibit.

Before touring the historic building, children can collect eggs from 10 locations on the grounds from 10 a.m. to noon and learn about the history of Iolani Palace in the process (bring your own basket!). Special prizes will go to those who find one of a dozen gold-colored eggs hidden on the property. Keiki who dress up in their own version of royal regalia for the event will be entered in a prize raffle.

Palace visitors can also bring a hard-cooked, decorated egg to enter in a contest that will award prizes for most creative and “most relevant to the palace.” The age divisions are 5 years old and younger, 6 to 12, and 13 and older (including adults).

A coloring contest will be held in two categories, for ages 5 and under, and 6 to 9. Download coloring sheets at www.iolanipalace.org, under the “events” tab, and complete at home in advance, or use the sheets and crayons that will be provided Saturday.

Judging for both contests will begin at 3 p.m.

Free children’s tours of the first floor and palace galleries will be offered from noon to 4 p.m. Young children are not normally allowed inside the palace, so to ensure proper supervision, each keiki under the age of 5 must be accompanied by an adult.

Call 522-0822 or www.iolanipalace.org.