Honolulu is the capital of Hawaii and is located on Oahu’s south shore. Known for its glorious, palm-backed beaches, high-rise hotels, shopping, dining, and nightlife, the city also has a number of historic museums, including the USS Arizona Memorial dedicated to those who lost their lives at Pearl Harbor during World War II. On top of this, Honolulu has a cultural core, as seen in Honolulu Museum of Art. It was founded by Anna Rice Cooke in 1922 and was previously known as Honolulu Academy of Arts. This museum collects and preserves visual arts relating to the ethnically diverse community of Hawaii. Read on for a guide to Honolulu Museum of Art.
1. Things to do / Highlights
View the art
Stroll around the museum and take in the various artworks on display while learning more about each painting or sculpture. Visit exhibitions related to films and videos of performing arts in Hawaii. Works by Van Gogh, Hokusai, Picasso, Monet, and Warhol are on display, along with some traditional Hawaiian and Asian art.
Take art classes
While you’re here, there is also the opportunity for adults and children to attend art classes like drawing and painting, ceramics, printmaking, glasswork, fiber art, jewelry making, and metalsmithing, botanical art, woodworking, photography, and art history, among others.
2. What to eat
Exploring the museum can give you an appetite, so head to the Honolulu Museum of Art Café + Coffee Bar. The café is open from Tuesday to Sunday and serves a weekday lunch menu featuring starters, soups, and salads. On Sundays, a good brunch is served.
Sandwiches
Choose from a selection of freshly made sandwiches, including herb-grilled chicken breast, BBQ pulled pork, or grilled piadina.
Entrées
The selection of entrées includes grilled New York steak, pan-seared salmon or grilled long eggplant, with options available for vegetarians.
Drinks
A good variety of beverages is available, including such delights as tropical iced tea, house-made ginger lemonade, coffee, and tea.
3. What to buy
The gift shop at the Honolulu Museum of Art offers a range of great items to buy as souvenirs or gifts that you can take home. These include various stationery items, posters, and art publications.
Books
A selection of books includes “Abstract Expressionism: Looking East from the Far West”, “Ho’oulu Hawai'i the King Kalakaua Era”, and “Art Deco Hawai’i.”
T-shirts
A super range of T-shirts is on offer, most featuring paintings exhibited at the museum, along with other clothing items like the Homa Custom Aloha Shirt.
Gift cards and posters
If you are not sure what to buy for your friend or favorite relative, gift cards and posters are also on sale.
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4. Travelers tips
Explore the grounds
While exploring the museum, visitors will find a number of courtyards to relax in, including the Chinese and Mediterranean courtyards - the grounds are beautiful and are perfect for a stroll.
Enjoy the peace and quiet
Many art museums tend to be crowded, making it difficult to see a favorite piece of art. Though it is quite small, Honolulu Museum of Art is quieter, giving you ample opportunity to gaze at that Van Gogh painting for as long as you like in perfect peace.
Take the free shuttle
Visitors can take advantage of the free shuttle that passes by the museum every Tuesday, so you don’t have to worry about how to get there or lack of parking space.
Accessibility
All galleries and other facilities in the museum are wheelchair accessible. For those who don’t have their own, courtesy wheelchairs are available at the Ward Avenue and Victoria Street entrances, free of charge.
5. How to get there
Car
If you’re driving from Waikiki, take H1 to Lunalilo Street exit, then turn left at Ward Avenue, a further left on Kinau Street and then right on Victoria Street. Next turn is a left on Young Street, where you should see the entrance to the parking lot on the left. If driving from downtown, take the H1 to Kinau Street exit.
Bus
If catching the bus from Waikiki, take the No.2 from Kuhio Avenue heading towards downtown Honolulu, which takes around 20 minutes. This bus stops in front of Honolulu Museum of Art. The museum is on the following bus lines: 1, 2, 1L, and 2L.
6. How to buy tickets
Admission to the museum for adults is 20 USD or 10 USD for Hawaii residents with an ID. Anyone aged 18 and under, or who is a member, enjoys free admission. Access to the cafe, museum shop, and Robert Allerton Art Library is free. The museum also offers a number of free days, including Family Sunday on the third Sunday of the month, the first Wednesday of each month is free for residents, while July 31 is free for Hawaii residents, in celebration of La Ho’iho’l Ea (Restoration Day). Tickets to the museum can be purchased on-site.
Honolulu Museum of Art information
Honolulu Museum of Art
Address: 900 South Beretania St, Honolulu, HI 96814, United States
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 10am - 4:30pm (closed on Mon).
Cost: 10 - 20 USD
Official Website: Honolulu Museum of Art
Department of Tourism: Honolulu
History
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