Aliiolani Hale

Description:

• Don't be surprised if this place looks familiar; you probably saw it on Magnum, P.I. This gingerbread Italianate building, designed by Australian Thomas Rowe in Renaissance revival style, was built in 1874 and was originally intended to be a palace. Instead, Aliiolani Hale ("chief unto heavens") became the Supreme Court and Parliament government office building. Inside, there's a Judiciary History Center, which features a multimedia presentation, a restored historic courtroom, and exhibits tracing Hawaii's transition from pre-contact Hawaiian law to Western law. Allow up to an hour to see it.

• © Frommer's 2012