Vandals damage ‘Iolani Palace door, considered “irreparable”
The etched glass on one of the entryway doors of historic Iolani Palace was destroyed by vandals Saturday morning, a loss a palace official described as “irreparable.”
Two people, a 30-year-old man, who listed no address, and a 21-year-old Hawaii Kai woman, were arrested by police on suspicion of criminal property damage shortly after 8 a.m. but later released pending investigation, according to Honolulu Police Department records.
Palace security staff located and apprehended the two suspects as they were breaking into the palace, said palace executive director Kippen de Alba Chu. They also found the glass to one of the original front glass doors shattered, he said.
“We are devastated that one of our original etched glass doors has been destroyed,” de Alba Chu said. “It is an irreparable loss of a treasure.”
Iolani Palace, completed in 1882, was built by King David Kalakaua as the official residence of the Hawaiian monarchy.
It gained significance and symbolism when Queen Liliuokalani, following the 1893 overthrow of the monarchy, was imprisoned at the palace for five years.
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The palace is a designated National Historic Landmark.
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CORRECTION: Queen Liliuokalani was imprisoned at ‘Iolani Palace for eight months in 1895, from Jan. 16 to Sept. 6. A previous version of this story said she was incarcerated there for five years.