New Digital Platform for Washington Place Provides Enhanced Access to Historic Home in Honolulu

The Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) and NIC Hawaii have launched a new website allowing people to learn more about the history, inhabitants and legacy of Washington Place. Best known as the home of Hawaii’s beloved Queen Liliʻuokalani, this National Historic Landmark was the only official residence of a state governor in the United States that was also home to a monarch.

A primary feature on the new site is the addition of online forms that allow people to submit requests for tours, filming, events or volunteering. The site also serves as a virtual museum, providing visitors a glimpse inside the home with its unique collection of art and artifacts including paintings, furniture and more. Finally, a historical timeline highlights events as well as the special guests who have visited the home throughout current and previous generations.

NIC Hawaii worked closely with the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) to design the new website. Built in WordPress, the site has a responsive web design that works across all mobile and tablet devices, and agency staff can easily manage the web content going forward.

“As a longtime partner with DAGS, we were thrilled to collaborate with stakeholders from across the State of Hawaii to quickly build a site to meet their needs,” said Rosie Warfield, NIC Hawaii Manager of eGovernment Services. “We think residents and visitors will be delighted to dive in and discover more about the history behind this home.”

As Washington Place begins to reopen to the public following the COVID-19 pandemic, the site will be re-introducing tours, both virtual and in-person, and creating more virtual programs that will be shared via an event calendar.