Tour poster: Sovereignty in Stone: The Hawaiian Kingdom and the Coup of 1893
Red Thread OriginalHonolulu
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Self-guided podcast audio tour

Honolulu

Sovereignty in Stone: The Hawaiian Kingdom and the Coup of 1893

Power, Protest & Civic SpacesHistory & Memory
Distance
1.9 km
Duration
91 min
Route
7 stops

Step into the heart of historic Honolulu and discover a side of Hawaiʻi that history books often obscure. Far from a sleepy island outpost, the nineteenth-century Hawaiian Kingdom was an internationally recognized, high-tech constitutional state whose monarchs built grand palaces, negotiated global treaties, and adopted…

Ian MacLeod
Your guide Ian MacLeod Power, Protest & Civic Spaces
Audio sample

What awaits you on this Red Thread tour

Step into the heart of historic Honolulu and discover a side of Hawaiʻi that history books often obscure. Far from a sleepy island outpost, the nineteenth-century Hawaiian Kingdom was an internationally recognized, high-tech constitutional state whose monarchs built grand palaces, negotiated global treaties, and adopted municipal innovations like electric lighting before the U.S. White House. On this immersive redthread walking tour, expert political historian Ian and local resident Mia guide you through grand cathedrals, royal barracks, government halls, and the iconic ʻIolani Palace. You will untangle the dramatic narrative of royal diplomacy, economic pressure from sugar oligarchs, the arrival of U.S. Marines, and Queen Liliʻuokalani's courageous protest during the illegal overthrow of 1893. Experience history where it happened, written in coral, stone, and bronze.

Your in-app experience

This is how the Red Thread app brings your tour to life.

Red Thread guides you through the city's stories that you won't find in any guidebook. Authentically and compellingly told by our experts and locals.

Home
01

Home

Get inspired and choose a story that fits your location and your mood.

Search for tours directly
02

Search for tours directly

Use the map to find tours in your city or at a specific address.

Redeem in the app
03

Redeem in the app

Redeem purchased tours or City Passes in the app using a voucher code or QR code.

Start well prepared
04

Start well prepared

Explore the route, stops, and many additional features for your experience.

Listen where it happened
05

Listen where it happened

Hear the stories where they happened.

Ask your guide
06

Ask your guide

Get extra context, deeper details, or useful tips nearby.

Collect discoveries
07

Collect discoveries

Build your travel passport and explore fascinating insights.

Itinerary

1

TOUR START

St. Andrew's Cathedral

Founded by King Kamehameha 4 and Queen Emma, this Gothic Revival cathedral showcases the monarchy's international diplomacy and alignment with the Anglican Church to counterbalance American missionary influence.

St. Andrew's Cathedral

Image by Farragutful on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

0.16 km • 2 min
2

STOP 2

Washington Place

The private residence of Queen Liliʻuokalani where she lived prior to and after her reign, and the site where she was arrested by forces of the Republic of Hawaiʻi in 1895.

Washington Place

Image by Frank Schulenburg on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

0.73 km • 11 min
3

STOP 3

ʻIolani Barracks (Halekoa)

Built in 1870 under King Kamehameha 5 to house the Royal Guard, symbolizing the sovereign kingdom's standing military establishment.

ʻIolani Barracks (Halekoa)

Image by Tony Hisgett on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

0.09 km • 1 min
4

STOP 4

ʻIolani Palace

The official royal residence of the Hawaiian Monarchy, an architectural marvel equipped with electric lighting before the US White House, and the central site of Queen Liliʻuokalani's yield of executive power under protest.

ʻIolani Palace

Image by Farragutful on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

0.35 km • 5 min
5

STOP 5

Aliʻiolani Hale

Designed under Kamehameha 5 as the royal capitol and legal hall. On January 17, 1893, the annexationist Committee of Safety seized this building to proclaim the Provisional Government.

Aliʻiolani Hale

Image by Farragutful on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

0.24 km • 4 min
6

STOP 6

King Kamehameha I Statue

Located directly in front of Aliʻiolani Hale, standing as an enduring symbol of Hawaiian national unification and monarchical heritage.

King Kamehameha I Statue

Image by Farragutful on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

0.30 km • 5 min
7

END

Kawaiahaʻo Church

Known as the Westminster Abbey of Hawaii, constructed from coral blocks; site of royal state functions, sovereign oaths of office, and national gatherings.

Kawaiahaʻo Church

Image by w_lemay on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Where the tour takes place

Starting point and rough tour area – the exact route unfolds in the app.

Good to know

  • Ideal for History buffs, political science enthusiasts, cultural travelers, legal history lovers, and urban explorers.
  • Best time Morning or early afternoon when light illuminates the architectural details and the buildings are open to visitors.
  • Comfortable Walking Gear Wear breathable clothing, sun protection, and comfortable walking shoes for flat city pavement.
  • Hydration and Shade Bring a reusable water bottle; downtown Honolulu can get warm, though plentiful tropical shade exists along the route.
  • Respect Historical Grounds Several stops are active places of worship or judicial proceedings. Please maintain a respectful demeanor on all grounds.
  • Palace Tour Alignment If you wish to explore inside ʻIolani Palace, book tickets online in advance to match your walking schedule.
  • Your voucher You can redeem your voucher for two years from purchase. Once redeemed, you have 14 days of access and can enjoy the tour as often as you like during that time.

Your guide

Ian MacLeod
Audio sample
0:000:00

Ian MacLeod

  • Power, Protest & Civic Spaces
  • Scotland

Connoisseur of political movements. Traces the routes of protests and explains the power of public spaces.

Explore Honolulu at your own pace

Your podcast audio tour through Honolulu

  • Hear the stories of Honolulu right where they unfold
  • Explore 7 hand-picked stops across 1.9 km – at your own pace
  • Atmospheric storytelling, carefully researched and always ready in the app
  • Your voucher stays valid for two years; after redemption you have 14 days of access
Now only €5.99 incl. VAT

One-time purchase – no subscription, no ongoing commitments.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to the tour after buying?

You see your voucher code right after payment – and you also receive it at the email address you entered at checkout. Redeem that code in the Red Thread app; that's where the tour starts.

When does my access start?

Only when you redeem the code in the app, not at purchase. From redemption you have 14 days of access to the tour.

Do I need the Red Thread app?

Yes. The free Red Thread app turns your tour into a vivid experience: with audio, a map, and thoughtful prompts, it guides you from place to place in an engaging and entertaining way. It's available free for iOS and Android.