Once a year — just once — you can experience what it would be like to attend a gala hosted by King Kalakaua and Queen Kapi‘olani at ‘Iolani Palace, the only official royal residence in the United States.

For the annual Queen Kapi‘olani Evening Tours, held in December over two nights close to the queen’s birthday on Dec. 31, the palace and its grounds are illuminated, and there are performances of hula and live music. Now in its 23rd year, it is the only time visitors can tour the palace at night and ascend the beautiful koa staircase to the second floor. This year a third night — a Thursday night VIP Experience — has been added.

During the tour, guides share stories about Kapi‘olani, her family and her contributions to Hawaii.

“The queen loved music and enjoyed many concerts in the Blue Room with friends and family,” said Zita Cup Choy, the palace’s historian. “One of those concerts featured the Royal Hawaiian Band playing a selection of operatic music. She and the king often invited dignitaries and members of Honolulu’s high society to lavish balls in the Throne Room and to formal meals served with crystal goblets, silverware and European china in the Dining Room.”

When they were on Oahu, Kalakaua and Kapi‘olani did not sleep at ‘Iolani Palace; rather, they preferred to retire to their private residence (another building on the palace grounds, which no longer stands) or to one of their three other homes on the island (in Waikiki, Kakaako and Nuuanu).

All four bedrooms in the palace are on the second floor. Even though the royal couple did not sleep at the palace, two of the bedrooms were designated for their use.

Kapi‘olani got ready for special events in her bedroom. Kalakaua’s bedroom, adjacent to his office, was where he sought respite from overseeing the affairs of the kingdom. The two other bedrooms were guest rooms for family members.

“We try to make the evening tours a little different each year,” Cup Choy said. “For example, last year we unveiled the first four pieces in our Alii Garment Reproduction Project, which we launched in 2015.

Hawaii island-based historic garment designer Iris Viacrucis created those pieces after completing extensive research.”

Now on permanent display in the palace, the replicas mirror the fine craftsmanship and attention to detail of the originals: Queen Lili‘uokalani’s ostrich feather and lilac gown and the ribbon gown she chose for her official portrait, which hangs in the Blue Room, and Queen Kapi‘olani’s lei hulu (feather lei) gown and peacock feather gown, which she wore to Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in England in 1887.

Music will fill the halls, rooms and grounds of the palace all evening, just as it would have at royal soirees in the 19th century. Among the highlights will be songs written by Kapi‘olani and Na Lani Eha (The Royal Four): King Kalakaua and his three siblings — Queen Lili‘uokalani, Prince Leleiohoku and Princess Likelike.

“Learning about the lives of the alii and sharing their stories inspires me,” Cup Choy said. “I especially admire what Queen Kapi‘olani did to help her people (see sidebar). Our annual evening event honors her, celebrates her birthday and remembers her many accomplishments.”

About Queen Kapi‘olani

Julia Kapi‘olani Napela Kapu o Kaka‘e was born in Hilo on Dec. 31, 1834, to High Chiefess Kinoiki and High Chief Kuhio. Her maternal grandfather was Kaumuali‘i, the last king of Kauai.

Kapi‘olani married High Chief David Kalakaua in December 1863. Eleven years later, Kalakaua was elected king.

By all accounts, Kapi‘olani was a private, reserved person — much different from her gregarious husband. The role of queen came easily to her, and she reigned with dignity, grace and compassion. She raised money through charitable events such as balls, fairs and garden parties to help Hansen’s disease patients and their families.

She also dreamed of founding a hospital where underprivileged Hawaiian mothers could deliver their babies with quality medical care. After working 10 years to obtain the necessary capital of $8,000, she was happy to see Kapi‘olani Maternity Home (now Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women and Children) open on June 14, 1890.

After Kalakaua died the following year, the queen moved to their Waikiki home, Pualeilani. There she lived a simple, quiet life, attended by retainers. Although she welcomed friends, she seldom went out to attend social gatherings in part because of failing health.

Three strokes, Bright’s disease and a heart condition took their toll: Kapi‘olani passed away at age 64 on June 24, 1899. She served as the president of Kapi‘olani Maternity Home until her death.

Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi is a Honolulu-based freelance writer whose travel features for the Star-Advertiser have won several Society of American Travel Writers awards.