On the northwest lawn of the 'Iolani Palace grounds sits the 'Iolani Barracks.
Originally built in 1870-71 on the land where the Hawaii State Capitol building now sits. It was built to house the royal palace and royal tomb guards. Designed by a German architect, the barracks is made of coral blocks and intended to look like a medieval castle. Prior to the building of the State Capitol the barracks was taken down, brick by brick, and rebuilt in its current location.

At one time 'Iolani Barracks contained a kitchen, mess hall, dispensary, living quarters and prison lockup. Following the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893, the Royal Guard was disbanded. The barracks is now part of the 'Iolani Palace Museum