About the Hawaii State Art Museum (HiSAM)

The State Foundation on Culture and the Arts invites you to visit the Hawai‘i State Art Museum (HiSAM). HiSAM is located on the 2^nd floor of the No. 1 Capitol District Building, 250 South Hotel Street, in downtown Honolulu, Hawai‘i. Admission is always free. The museum is open Monday – Saturday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. The museum is closed on Sunday and on state and federal holidays.

For everyone’s safety, staff and visitors must follow current safety protocols, including social distancing, face coverings, and limits on group size. The “I Love Art” hands-on activity gallery is temporarily closed. Learn more at HawaiiCOVID19.com.

View some of the best contemporary art from across the state of Hawaiʻi in our exhibits! HiSAM is a venue for the Art in Public Places Program of the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. Most of the collection is on display in public buildings, including libraries, schools, and state offices. Artworks in the collection are primarily contemporary works by artists with a connection to Hawai‘i.

Sculpture Garden

On the ground floor of the building was once a recreational area that featured a large swimming pool and bleachers. This area has now been transformed to serve again as an urban oasis. It retains elements that evoke memories of the pool, offering pathways for discovery and sites for reflection. The Sculpture Garden is open during building hours (Monday – Friday 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.) and museum hours (Monday – Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and during special events such as First Fridays).

View Artworks Online

The artworks in the Sculpture Garden can be viewed in the SFCA’s Art in Public Places online catalog: Art in Public Places Catalog

Contact

Telephone

Museum information line (recorded message): (808) 586-0900
Visitor Services (Tuesday – Saturday): (808) 586-9959
Main line (State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, Monday – Friday): (808) 586-0300

Email

[email protected]

Location

The Hawai‘i State Art Museum is located inside the No. 1 Capitol District Building. The No. 1 Capitol District building is in downtown Honolulu, near the State Capitol building, Iolani Palace, and the Cathedral of St. Andrew. The main building entrances are on the South Hotel St. side of the building, and the wheelchair/stroller ramp is on the Richards St. side of the building.
The shop, cafe, and Sculpture Garden are located on the ground floor and the museum galleries are on the second floor.

Public Transportation

• TheBus – many bus routes stop directly in front of or very close to the museum. For routes and schedules, call TheBus at (808) 848-5555 or check online at www.thebus.org.
• The Waikiki Trolley – the Red Line State Capitol Stop is a short walk from HiSAM. For more information, call the Waikiki Trolley at (808) 591-2561, or check online at www.waikikitrolley.com.
• Biki Bikeshare – the closest Biki racks are directly in front of the building on South Hotel St. (120 Chinatown/DT – Hotel & Richards), and at the corner of Richards and South Beretania St (121 Chinatown/DT – Beretania & Richards).
• Bicycle Racks – nearby Honolulu City & County bike racks are on South Hotel St. near Alakea St., on Richards St. near South Hotel St., and on the lawn between the Hawai‘i State Capitol building and Iolani Palace.

Parking

There is no parking on site. Parking is available at nearby lots, including across Hotel street in the Ali‘i Place building (enter at 1099 Alakea Street, cash only), across Richards Street at Iolani Palace, and metered street parking in the area.

Accessible Parking

Free accessible parking stalls are available in these location for persons with disabilities:

• Iolani Palace grounds (one stall near the Richards Street exit, one stall near the State Archives building, and one stall near the gate leading to the State Capitol)
• Ali‘i Place building parking structure (vehicle entrance at 1099 Alakea Street, pedestrian entrance/exit on South Hotel Street directly across from the Hawai‘i State Art Museum). 2 hour limit.
• State parking lots allow metered spaces in those lots to be used as accessible parking, with a 2 hour limit. Nearby state parking lots include the State Capitol (415 South Beretania Street and Punchbowl Street), and the Kalanimoku Building (corner of Beretania Street and 1151 Punchbowl Street). For a full list of state government parking lots and a map, please visit the Automotive Management Division webpage. In order to use the spaces, vehicles must display the appropriate placard issued to individuals.

Museum admission is always free! This includes all museum exhibits, events, and activities.

• Monday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Tuesday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Thursday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Sunday: closed
• State and federal holidays: closed

The museum is open Monday through Saturday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, and is closed on Sunday and state and federal holidays (listed on the museum calendar).

Calendar

For more information about upcoming events, please check the events calendar. Enjoy HiSAM From Home online events and activities on Zoom and on HiSAM social media!

Free Guided Tours

Group Tours have been suspended until further notice.

Group Tours and School Tours

Free guided group tours and docent-led school tours are available upon request. Please allow up to four weeks in advance when scheduling a group tour. Contact Museum Educator Susan Hogan by telephone at (808) 586-9958 or email [email protected].

Individuals and Small Groups

For individuals and small groups, free guided tours are available upon request (when docent volunteers are available). Check at the visitor’s desk in the second floor Sculpture Lobby, or contact Museum Educator Susan Hogan by telephone at (808) 586-9958 or email [email protected].

Visitor Guidelines

The Hawai‘i State Art Museum is the “People’s Museum” and belongs to everyone. Please respect those around you by allowing them to enjoy their own museum experience.

• Health and safety: Current safety protocols include wearing a face mask covering the nose and mouth (masks will be provided for those who do not have one) and a mandatory check-in for contact tracing. Please follow the instructions provided at the visitors desks.
• Please refrain from touching the art. Please join us in preserving the artwork for future generations. Artwork can be damaged by even the slightest contact.
• Wheelchair/Stroller Access: Richards Street gate entrance has a walkway leading to the side of the building facing Richards Street. As you come in to the main hallway, turn left to go to the lobby, or turn right to go to the Sculpture Garden. There are two elevators, one on each side of the lobby.
• Smoking and Food: Smoking, including e-cigs, is prohibited throughout State buildings. No food or drink is allowed in the museum galleries.
• Pets: No animals are permitted on state property with the exception of professionally trained service animals.
• Photography: Hand-held still and video photography in existing light is allowed in the galleries for private, noncommercial, or educational use (including personal social media accounts). Photography is not permitted in special exhibitions or areas designated as “No Photography.”
• For press, professional, and other special photography: Please contact the SFCA’s Public Information Officer, Mamiko Carroll, at (808) 586-0305 or [email protected]. For photo and/or film permits for the building and grounds, please contact Visitor Services Manager Scott Young at [email protected] or (808) 586-9959 for more information. For information concerning permissions or photography of works in the Foundation’s Art in Public Places Collection, please contact Art in Public Places Program Director Karen Ewald at [email protected] or (808) 586-9950. No professional photographs in the museum may be reproduced, distributed, or sold without permission.

Facilities Rental Program

The Hawai‘i State Art Museum is temporarily unavailable for rentals for special events and parties. Anyone interested in renting the facilities may request or download a HiSAM Rental Information Packet which contains a Rental Handbook, Rental Request Form, and HiSAM brochure.

Download the Facilities Rental Program Information

For more information: Facilities Rental Program.

Contact the Visitor Services Manager

Scott Young
Telephone: (808) 586-9959
Email: [email protected]

Staff

Museum Director

Karen Ewald, Art in Public Places Program Director/Hawaii State Art Museum Director
Telephone: (808) 586-9950
Email: [email protected]

Museum Educator

Susan Hogan
Telephone:(808) 586-9958
Email: [email protected]

Visitor Services Manager

Scott Young
Telephone: (808) 586-9959
Email: [email protected]

Jobs

The Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (SFCA) is a state government agency, administratively attached to the Department of Accounting and General Services (Hawai‘i Revised Statutes Chapter 9). The Hawai‘i State Art Museum (HiSAM) is operated by the SFCA. All hiring for jobs is done via the Hawai‘i Department of Human Resources Development (DHRD). For careers and career opportunities within the state of Hawai‘i, please visit their website: Hawai‘i Department of Human Resources Development.

For more information about employment, please see our employment page.

Keep in touch

Email Newsletter

Subscribe to the email newsletter for event calendar updates, exhibit openings, and more: newsletter sign-up

Social Media

• Facebook: Hawaii State Art Museum
• Instagram: @hawaiistateartmuseum
• Twitter: @hisamnews