Honolulu Museum of Art
Museum Large Honolulu art museum with extensive Asian collection
In Honolulu, the museum anchors downtown with extensive Asian and Pacific collections, rotating exhibitions, galleries and occasional classes. Visitors come for Hawaiian and Asian art, curated shows, and the quiet courtyards that break up the city.
The Honolulu Museum of Art is an art museum in Honolulu, Oahu, founded in 1927. It was established to collect and display works with a particular strength in Asian and Pacific art.
The institution maintains a multi-building campus in central Honolulu plus a second site, Spalding House, devoted to modern and contemporary art and garden sculpture. Exhibitions range from Asian ceramics and paintings to rotating contemporary shows and educational programs.
The museum was founded in 1927 by Anna Rice Cooke and expanded over the 20th century into a city cultural institution with educational and conservation activities. Later growth added satellite exhibition spaces and expanded public programming.
Sited in central Honolulu on the island of Oahu, the museum sits within the urban core of the city and is accessible from downtown and surrounding neighborhoods.
- Two sites: Operates two public sites - the main museum in downtown Honolulu and Spalding House in a separate neighborhood.
- Founding: Founded in 1927, with a long-standing emphasis on Asian and Pacific art alongside Western collections.
What to See #
- Spalding House: Located in Honolulu on Oahu, the museum operates a second site, Spalding House, which focuses on modern and contemporary art and garden sculpture.
- Main museum campus: The main museum campus in downtown Honolulu houses rotating exhibitions, permanent collections and education spaces across multiple buildings on a single city campus.
How to Get to Honolulu Museum of Art #
The Honolulu Museum of Art is located in central Honolulu (near downtown/Beretania Street). From Waikiki it is typically a 10-20 minute drive (roughly 3-5 miles / 5-8 km) depending on traffic; TheBus public buses serve the downtown corridor with short walks from stops on Beretania and nearby streets, and taxis or rideshares are straightforward. From Daniel K. Inouye International Airport it’s a short drive into the city (roughly 10 miles / ~15-25 minutes, depending on traffic).
Tips for Visiting Honolulu Museum of Art #
- Check the museum's website before you go for current opening hours and temporary-exhibit ticketing - exhibitions rotate frequently and some special shows require advance booking.
- Visit on a weekday morning if possible to avoid weekend and school-group crowds; that timing also makes it easier to view popular galleries at a relaxed pace.
- Combine the visit with a short walk around the nearby neighborhoods (Makiki/Thomas Square area) to see local public art and avoid the busiest downtown hours before or after your museum stop.
Best Time to Visit Honolulu Museum of Art #
For the Honolulu Museum of Art, visit during shoulder months (May or September-November) or weekday mornings to avoid the busiest tourist crowds.
Weather & Climate near Honolulu Museum of Art #
Honolulu Museum of Art's climate is classified as Hot Semi-Arid - Hot Semi-Arid climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 18°C to 31°C. Abundant rainfall (1128 mm/year), wettest in October.
January
January is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 18°C. Significant rainfall (134 mm).
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February
February is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (71 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 19°C. Significant rainfall (123 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (142 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 21°C. Moderate rainfall (79 mm).
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June
June is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 22°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm).
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July
July is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 22°C. Regular rainfall (86 mm).
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August
August is the warmest month with highs of 31°C and lows of 23°C. Moderate rainfall (31 mm).
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September
September is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 22°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm).
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October
October is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 22°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (152 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 21°C. Significant rainfall (125 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (102 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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