Black History Film Festival Paint Me a Road Out of Here…read moreThis heartbreaking and humorous documentary uncovers the whitewashed history of Faith Ringgold's masterpiece For the Women's House and follows its 50-year journey from Rikers Island to the Brooklyn Museum. This is a museum see. Your heart will open wide and you see your opportunity to make a difference by caring, giving, and sharing. February 12, 2026 at Honolulu Museum of Art in Doris Duke Theatre. Rochelle L. & Leonard E. Mc Gee were guest of Sandra Simms. Shalom

This was a great place to visit, away from all the tourist attractions in Waikiki. HoMA is larger…read morethan I would have expected, and there is a great variety of art here--Asian and European art. You probably could spend all day here if you took the time. We did take a rideshare here, so I can't really comment on the parking. Admission was pretty reasonable. If you are a Hawaii resident, you'll get a discount on admission. Of note, I was wearing a lei and they asked me to take it off (they gave me a paper bag to hold onto it). Staff were friendly about it though. We even got to learn a little bit about art in Hawaii, and what I really loved learning was the decorative brick that they use. After that, I started noticing them outdoors, as well as in some local restaurants. There are a couple of courtyards that are just beautiful and peaceful if you get a chance to sit around and take it all in. They have a restaurant, gift shop, as well as a coffee cart. Overall, I would highly recommend visiting!

Capital Modern, Hawaii State Art Museum is a beautiful museum located downtown Honolulu surrounded…read moreby historical and modern buildings. Old and new Honolulu come together in this location. The grounds are scenic and lovely, really nice area to stroll and enjoy some of Hawaiian history and art. Lots of street parking and free parking after 6pm. I usually go on First Friday which is always a blast, they always have different local entertainment throughout the evening and sometimes the place really gets rocking from the music. The nice thing, kids are welcome as well so the whole family can attend. On the second floor there is two galleries that house the different art and artists. The wood floors are beautiful. Every month there is a different theme and the art work is rotated so it never gets old. Also on the second floor are different vendors that are selling food products or locally made products for sale. They also have beer and wine available for sale. The staff are great and very helpful. If you have a bag, the security outside the gallery will check it for you as well as any waterbottles. Admission is free but donations are accepted and really appreciated. Come check this place out, you won't be disappointed.

The Capitol Modern is a hidden gem in the heart of downtown Honolulu. The Museum houses modern…read moreHawaiian art and is free to the public! The building and grounds are lovely and serene, a perfect place to relax and enjoy Hawaiian art. The building is a great example of classic Colonial Hawaiian architecture. I came to visit to my granddaughter's preschool painting, which was part of an exhibit in the lobby. I love that the museum encourages young artists. Upstairs, two galleries were filled with modern paintings and sculptures by Hawaiian artists. Don't miss the sculpture garden, with pieces by many renowned artists. While admission is free, donations are appreciated. We found metered parking a block away. A nice gift shop is located on the first floor. They will check big bags that are not allowed in the galleries. There is a cafe, but it was not open during my visit.

After years and years of wanting to go, I FINALLY saw the Shangri La Museum up close and personal…read more You need to make reservations online and take the museum's shuttle bus to and from this location. Pay for parking at the Honolulu Museum of Art and check in, then wait for your shuttle in the front of the museum. You'll be shuttled in AC buses. Once you're done, they'll take you back and you have full access to the Honolulu Museum of Art for the same day. That's such a great deal! Two museums for the price of one ticket.

I took a trip to the one of the most remarkable and astonishing estates here in Hawai'i. The tour…read moreof Shangri La first began at the Honolulu Museum of Art where I checked-in and boarded the tour bus trip that took about 15 minutes. The service at Shangri La was great. There were three different employees who were available to answer questions and guide us. We were offered and handheld fan, water and a yummy ice cream sandwich treat at the end.

1000% worth the visit. This museum was recommended to me by the front desk staff at one of the…read morehotels I stayed at, and they were absolutely right. What a fantastic place to learn about Hawaiian history, culture, art, ecosystems, and so much more. A few takeaways from my visit: - Tickets are usually cheaper through Groupon. - This is a very family-friendly museum, please keep that in mind if you prefer super quiet museums - Great activity for rainy days, even though there are also plenty of outdoor areas to explore. - Don't rush your visit, there are so many exhibitions, and it's the kind of museum where you'll want to stop and read every display. Definitely one of my favorite cultural spots I visited in Honolulu. Very thankful for this place

We came here for a few hours. Several different buildings with several different things to learn…read moreabout. Unfortunately, we didnt have enough time to visit the whole museum. We started with the history. It was interesting to learn about the history of the island and the kings and how things were back then. It was sad to learn that most of them died very young. There were lots of pictures and artifacts. The artwork was beautiful, We also went into the building blocks building. I think geared mostly towards younger children and folks that like Legos of course. We would have love to check out the rest, and will hopefully get to someday soon. The grounds were beautiful and the people that worked their were friendly and helpful.

"Abstraction allows man to see with his mind what he cannot see physically with his eyes…read more.. Abstract art enables the artist to perceive beyond the tangible, to extract the infinite out of the finite. It is the emancipation of the mind. It is an exploration into unknown areas." - Arshile Gorky After recent visits to the Hawai'i State Art Museum and Honolulu Museum of Art, we were inspired to visit this art museum. This Contemporary Museum at the First Hawaiian Center is an extension of the Honolulu Museum of Art. It features the work by artists of Hawai'i who use a variety of media and displays can be found in the bank's lobby and second floor mezzanine. Exhibits and artistic works are routinely rotated. The museum isn't very large and usually has enough space to feature 3 artists at a time. I can't express how the different artwork affected my senses and emotions as everyone will have their own impression(s). You may or may not feel or see what I have seen or what the artist was trying to express. However, when you come to the First Hawaiian Center, you'll also be impressed with the architecture. The former CEO and Chairman of First Hawaiian Bank, Walter A. Dods, Jr, is responsible for completing and opening Hawai'i's tallest building. Distinctive architectural features bring in as much natural sunlight as possible, views from its mountain-side use vertically-proportioned windows and ocean-facing views can be seen through horizontally framed windows that capture the sea and horizon. The building's shape resembles a knife as it "slashes through" its banking competition, Bank of Hawai'i. If you happen to be in Downtown Honolulu's Financial District, check out this museum. Explore and discover the unknown.

The Contemporary Museum is located inside the main branch of First Hawaiian Bank. It occupies…read moresections of the first and second floors. A person would need to take the stairs to get to the second floor. I'm unsure if the art gallery wing on the second floor can be accessed by the elevators...if they do then a person would have to pass the FHB workers in order to get to the gallery First Hawaiian Bank and Honolulu Museum of Art just had their 20th anniversary of partnership in 2016. Paintings and art sculptures on the two levels are part of the First Hawaiian Bank's art collections. Individuals are able to browse both levels for free. All art in the museum were done by individuals growing up in Hawaii or from transplanted former residents of the island. I recommend everyone to stop by the Contemporary Museum in the Downtown Honolulu location of First Hawaiian Bank. 10/100

What a great cause from this small family run business. No admission price. Kids from schools are…read morebrought to see up close gems, stones, corals from all over the world to see and touch first hand. Large intricate sculpted figures on display. There is a wide variety of quality jewelry for purchase. Better priced than many other establishments I've went to. Such as 3 for $20 or 2 for $30 for bracelets, earnings and necklaces. Much better quality too. Very nice people. Parking can be tricky. If you luck out on street parking I suggest Target/international market place perhaps?

I recently had the pleasure of supporting a beautiful family-owned jewelry business, and I couldn't…read morebe happier with my experience. From the moment I connected with them, it was clear how much care and passion goes into every piece they create. Their craftsmanship is truly exceptional--each item feels unique, thoughtfully designed, and made with real attention to detail. What stood out most to me was the personal touch. You can tell this isn't just a business to them--it's a labor of love passed down and nurtured within their family. They were incredibly kind, responsive, and genuinely invested in making sure I found something perfect. If you're looking for meaningful, high-quality jewelry while supporting a local family business, I highly recommend them. It feels great to wear something that not only looks beautiful but also carries a story and heart behind it.

Loved the tour, history and the house. It was amazing. But…read moreas someone who is regular weight and height, but struggling with infertility, to be asked by the docent whether I was pregnant, is hugely hurtful and shows lack of interpersonal interactions. Specially as she was a woman, or even it it were a man, that is unacceptable. I am not expecting. We are going through IVF. I thought everyone from a young age was asked not to ask that kind of question. I loved our visit, but now it's on a sour feeling. Would not recommend bc of conduct of the docent. Otherwise, it's spectacular

Perched high in the mountains of Makiki Heights and nestled in an oasis of eucalyptus trees and…read morelush tropical foliage sits the magnificent Liljestrand House. Getting there is quite the experience of hairpin turns and winding roads, but once you see the low sprawling home, your blood pressure will return to normal. With its Japanese aesthetic and simple clean lines, the home captures the ambience of country cabin meets mid-century modern innovation and convenience. Once occupied by the Lilijestrand family, today the House is a showpiece of architectural excellence best experienced on a small guided tour. We were lucky to have Lisa and Kim as our guides, regaling us with one fascinating story after another along with intimate peeks into the lives of the architect and the homeowners. The breathtaking views from every room in the house is as gasp-inducing as the artwork and amazing nooks and crannies. Betty Lilijestrand oversaw the construction and it's her foresight along with Ossipoff's brilliant design that makes one marvel at their genius. Remember to wear shoes that can be removed easily, and plan to do some walking and taking lots of photos. And ... I imagined if I lived here I wouldn't want to leave! A wonderful experience that I highly recommend! Enjoy!

Historical building with beautiful architecture and a spacious garden. It was closed today so we…read moreweren't able to enter. This is the Royal palace for King Kamehameha and other royals until 1893. This is an easy walk from the piers if you are on a cruise. The Monkey Pod trees are huge and spacious. The grounds are well kept.

Palace Fact: The U.S. has exactly one official royal palace and it's Iolani Palace!…read more Cue me and my impeccable timing. We popped by ʻIolani Palace on a Saturday, fully unaware that they close at 4:00 PM. And yes, we just missed them. Pain. Tragedy. A royal-level fumble. We had wandered over after visiting the statue of King Kamehameha I across the street, so at least the vibe was still immaculate. Even from the outside, the palace is stunning, grand, elegant, and carrying that quiet weight of history that makes you instinctively lower your voice a little. Shoutout to Nadine C. for dropping the knowledge that this is the only royal palace in the United States. Let that sink in. Not a mansion. Not a "former estate." A palace palace. A little context moment because it makes standing there hit different: This was the royal residence of Hawaiian monarchs starting with Kamehameha III in 1845, and later home to Queen Liliʻuokalani, who was ultimately overthrown and even imprisoned here in 1893. It's also the second palace built on this site, which somehow makes it feel even more layered, like history stacked on history. Today, it's a designated National Historic Landmark and honestly? I'm a little mad at myself for not planning better because I know the inside tour is going to be incredible. Guess I'll just have to come back and do it properly. Next time, we check the website and respect the hours. Lesson learned.

Signed up for "Some Like It Hot" because I want to learn more about jewelry-making and had my first…read morelesson today. First time visiting the Art School and first time working with a handsaw. Metalsmithing is no joke! My left tricep is sore just from holding the copper piece in place. The instructor, Juvana S., was professional, approachable, friendly, and seems knowledgeable. I found myself wishing the class was a YouTube tutorial because I need to watch/hear some things on repeat and also pause when needed. The class went on a good pace though since my fellow classmates were mostly new to this type of thing. The Metals Studio has everything (I guess) stocked and laid out. The three hours went by really quickly. I can't wait to learn more in the weeks to come!

I went to the Pecha Kucha night (20 slides, 20 seconds each) on Friday to get a flavor of this…read morestyle of presentation (to implement in my classroom). We showed up minutes before intermission and right away I noticed... 1. The sound quality was poor (you could barely hear from the back where most of the crowd was standing) 2. There were limited stools to sit on but a majority of the crowd was standing... 3. There was a tent with free beer but they don't serve during the presentations (intermission looked like a scene from Walmart on Black Friday) The presentations were... not what I expected. The next Pecha Kucha night is on March 9th and I think I'm going to give it another shot. Chamorro Grindz was the featured food truck but we ate before we came (the reason why we were an hour late). The highlight of the night was when I discovered that teachers can check out artifacts to share with their students ... for free.

The John Young Museum of Art is a small gallery located on the University of Hawaii campus. With…read morefree admission and various eateries on campus, this is the perfect place to truly enjoy moments on campus. Currently on display, the Fragments & Empire exhibition (open through May 6th) shows many works from Cambodia during the Angkor period. This museum exhibition utilizes new-age technology (iPads) to also show works on digital loan from the Honolulu Museum of Art. The gallery is open from 1-4pm Monday through Friday. At the backside of the gallery there is a courtyard with a pond with fish and water plants. Occasionally the ducks from Krauss pond fly over and make for a tranquil location. Benches in the back are great to have lunch at! Will definitely be returning to this spot soon again to view the artwork and take in the relaxing environment!

In addition to viewing the exhibits associated with the cosmos, in its study, astronomy, I…read morerecommend to visit a planetarium, quite fascinating. On the territory of the observatory and offer excellent views of the city, and who are interested in the inscription HOLLYWOOD.