Photograph of Halekoa Barracks

Contemporary 21st century photograph of Halekoa, also known as ʻIolani Barracks located in the northwest quadrant of the Palace grounds. It was originally completed in 1871 and designed by architect Theodore Heuck to house the Royal Guard. Its coral block structure contains an open courtyard surrounded by rooms once used by the guards as a mess hall, kitchen, dispensary, berth room, and lockup.

Following the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy and the disbanding of the Royal Guard, Halekoa was used at different times as temporary shelter for refugees of the 1899 Chinatown fire, headquarters for the National Guard of Hawaiʻi, a service club, a government office building, and a storage facility.

Originally located on what are now the grounds of the Hawaiʻi State Capitol, the barracks were dismantled and reconstructed at its present location in 1965. Halekoa now houses The Palace Shop, ticket office and video theatre.