Old Lahaina Courthouse
Old Lahaina Courthouse
4.5
This location was reported permanently closed
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4.5
745 reviews
Excellent
348
Very good
295
Average
93
Poor
6
Terrible
3
dgbg100106
Odenton, MD1,686 contributions
Sept 2019
A true piece of history with information and restrooms.
Originally opened in 1860, it served dual purpose as a customs house for whaling and commercial ships as well as home to governmental business and court affairs. The building was constructed during the late 1850s on the property of the Old Fort, and a remaining wall of the old fort can still be seen off to the side of the courthouse. It was built with materials from one of Kamehameha III's palaces that was destroyed during a windstorm before completion, which adds a unique twist to its history. The courthouse was renovated in 1925 in the Greek Revival architectural style that you see today.
Free admission, stop by and see what exhibit they have that day.
Originally opened in 1860, it served dual purpose as a customs house for whaling and commercial ships as well as home to governmental business and court affairs. The building was constructed during the late 1850s on the property of the Old Fort, and a remaining wall of the old fort can still be seen off to the side of the courthouse. It was built with materials from one of Kamehameha III's palaces that was destroyed during a windstorm before completion, which adds a unique twist to its history. The courthouse was renovated in 1925 in the Greek Revival architectural style that you see today.
Free admission, stop by and see what exhibit they have that day.
Written 5 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Previa1994
Chicago, IL6,648 contributions
Jan 2020
The Old Courthouse building is now used as a history museum. Not only does the building have a majestic façade and presence on the street, it also houses a vast amount of historical artifacts. The Banyan Tree is right on the backside of the building. Entrance is free to this wonderful museum. The display of progress of Hawaii history is amazing on the second floor. Do not miss spending sometime here when you are in Lahaina.
Written 6 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
on_the_go_98765
Tucson20,571 contributions
Dec 2021
As a courthouse, there would have been cells to hold recalcitrants before appearing for a hearing but this building also was a Customs House which had, as its function, the collecting of duties for goods passing through the harbor.
Today, it stands across from the booths of harbor-based tour operators, with the Russian cannons in between (at the base of the flagpole). The Russian warship cannons were part of a shipwreck off Honolulu but were salvaged and brought here to protect the coastline.
There are some nice little covered arbors to sit for awhile, as well as a good sized restroom facility (which seems to be a gathering spot for people with mental problems).
At one corner of the grounds is a coral-built remnant of a Fort wall.
The Courthouse itself used to be more interesting but the basement cells (that used to house artists' workspaces) is no longer open for tourists and the displays inside the Courthouse do have displays of artifacts and snippets of history.
Today, it stands across from the booths of harbor-based tour operators, with the Russian cannons in between (at the base of the flagpole). The Russian warship cannons were part of a shipwreck off Honolulu but were salvaged and brought here to protect the coastline.
There are some nice little covered arbors to sit for awhile, as well as a good sized restroom facility (which seems to be a gathering spot for people with mental problems).
At one corner of the grounds is a coral-built remnant of a Fort wall.
The Courthouse itself used to be more interesting but the basement cells (that used to house artists' workspaces) is no longer open for tourists and the displays inside the Courthouse do have displays of artifacts and snippets of history.
Written 5 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wikumj
Redhill, UK433 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
A quaint and small museum exhibit covers some of the history of Hawaii and the Lahaina area, interesting and only takes 20-30 mins to look through. We’ll worth it on a stop in Lahaina. There is also an art gallery and gift shop downstairs.
Written 8 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ITRT
Virginia45,052 contributions
Apr 2022
The courthouse was built with coral stones and wood from the unfinished palace of Kamehameha III when it was destroyed by a windstorm. It also served as a Customs House for whaling and commercial ships. It was built in the 1850s in the area where the Old Fort is located. In 1898, the Hawaiian flag was removed, and the American flag raised when the United States annexed the islands of Hawaii. Renovated in 1925, it is now home to a small art gallery, gift shop, visitor center and a heritage museum. The building faces Lahaina harbor.
Written 21 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
holiday-view23-7-11
Basingstoke, UK1,804 contributions
Feb 2020
Right next to the giant tree the Courthouse is a great place to start you exploration of the town. There are two shops down stairs one to the right and one to the left. The gentleman in the shop on your right as you walk in was really informative and helpful giving us vouchers for discounts all over town. He also told us that most points of interest were within walking distance of the there, which was true we found so much to see while awaiting to go whale watching. Upstairs is the museum and toilet facilities too. Suitable for all ages not but think there was a lift up to the first floor.
Written 17 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PBPG
Yorkshire, UK8,501 contributions
Sept 2022
The Lahaina Courthouse served as a customs house for whaling and trade ships as well as a centre for government offices and court functions during the Monarchy period. Constructed between 1858-1859. It stands at the edge of the Banyan park, which is a must see. Not a huge building, it was closed when we got there, but a multi-site ticket is available for this and other sites in the area.
Written 20 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
happy4travel
Northern California1,219 contributions
Apr 2020
Interesting, and very welcoming! Lots of information. The museum was filled with all kinds of wonderful treasures. It was fun to walk around and enjoy the lovely day! There is a nice gift shop, too. The Old Lahaina Courthouse is really delightful.
Written 14 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark S
Corrales, NM3,445 contributions
Feb 2020
It should be! Lots of local and overall Hawaiian history. Items upstairs on loan from our friend Dennis Ryan are so interesting. Start the Historic Trail from here. Imagine this building and little else long ago...
Written 11 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike H
Phoenix, AZ2,009 contributions
Feb 2020
The courthouse is located in the Banyan Tree Square. Two stories of history and there is a video to watch. Interesting place to visit with lots of things to see. The original flag that flew over the courthouse while the Hawaiian Monarchy ruled is on display.
Written 28 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is there a plan to rebuild this historic site? It looks compketed destroyed by the lahaina fire.
Written 4 September 2024
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