Best Free Museums In Honolulu Near Me

4worldlovers: Immerse yourself in Hawaiʻi’s rich culture and heritage at the premier natural and cultural history museum in the state.

Join us for the 2nd Annual Kāhuli Festival to celebrate the Year of the Kāhuli. This year’s festival theme will be focused on increasing capacity and building awareness.

Bishop Museum presents Playing With Light, an exhibit that combines LIGHT, a fundamental element in our everyday lives, and PLAY, a means to ignite the imagination, in this fun exploration into light technology. Come experience the exhibit before it opens to the public!


Kāhili Paʻa Lima are small hand-held kāhili that were carried by ali‘i or near them by special bearers in a display of respect.


In this two-full day workshop, Ola Ka No‘eau featured artist Kunāne Wooton will share insight on his woodworking process and wood inlay techniques and will guide you in making your own 3-4 foot board.

4worldlovers: Think of this as a reintroduction to your Hawai‘i State Art Museum. Our new name better reflects our location in Honolulu’s Capitol Historic District and the vibrant modern art experience people have come to love.

4worldlovers:
Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum is located on historic Ford Island, a 441-acre island in the middle of Pearl Harbor. Moored off its shores on Sunday, December 7, 1941, were some of the largest ships of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, in addition to the dozens of patrol and scout planes that filled the hangars and airfield, all of which were targets on that fateful morning. Now a National Historic Landmark, Ford Island is quiet today but still shows the scars of war.

Housed in an authentic World War II-era hangar, Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum’s Hangar 37 is home to the artifacts of our collection that tell the story of America’s involvement in World War II from the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor to the Battle of Midway and beyond.


Hangar 79 picks up where the story in Hangar 37 leaves off, documenting the rise of American air superiority that was established in World War II and continued to climb in subsequent decades in the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the Gulf Wars.

4worldlovers:
We are looking for personable, energetic, and highly organized individuals committed to making the royal homes special for all guests.

While we are a membership based nonprofit organization, we rely on the generous gifts from donors like you to continue our legacy.

Join the Daughters of Hawai‘i today and affirm your commitment to historic preservation in Hawai‘i.

From the stately ancient trees in the garden to the casual Hawaiian elegance of the reception room, each detail was exactly what we wanted.

This is a wonderful place to get an introduction to Hawaiian history. The place is beautiful and the docents are marvelous. Kenneth shared his passion and knowledge with us, and the other docent, upstairs, was excellent too. We are now eager to learn more. The gift shop where you buy the tickets is tiny but has some beautiful things. The entire place is serene with lovely views of the bay.

Our guide was very knowledgeable and so inviting. I am originally from the Islands, but I did not know some things our guide was talking about. She also shared some experiences she had in that house….all good. This is a place to visit and never gets old.

4worldlovers: Welcome to Hawaiian Mission Houses! Explore the grounds and enjoy our events.

We are currently hiring for our Gift Shop Assistant Manager position.

4worldlovers: This tour showcases life and legacy of our last ruling King, who was known as the “Merrie Monarch” and was instrumental in the revitalization of Hawaiian culture during his reign in the late 1800s. The tour will feature historical accounts and personal items belonging to King Kalākaua to help guests better understand not only what Kalākaua achieved locally and globally, but how his tangible vision of ʻIolani Palace, continues to contribute to the Hawaiian way of life and his preservation of hula, history, and tradition.

Reproductions of the suit King Kalākaua wore at his coronation on February 12, 1883, and his masonic apron debuted at ʻIolani Palace on the king’s 185th birthday, Tuesday, November 16, 2021. Created by historic dress designer Iris Viacrusis, the Coronation Suit stands majestically in the Throne Room, while the Masonic Apron is on display in King’s Library on the second floor.

Garments worn by the alii seamlessly integrated Hawaiian culture into European style dress. The Fashion Fit for Royalty specialty tour highlights the wardrobe and jewelry of Hawaiian royalty in the 19th century. Visitors will experience royal fashion at the peak of Hawaii’s monarchy with a closer look at opulent gowns, elegant uniforms, and other precious objects that were worn at formal court occasions.

The Hawaii’s Royal Connection to Japan tour explores how the Hawaiian Kingdom established the relationship with the Asian nation, which continues to present day. This exclusive opportunity brings King Kalakaua’s 1881 journey to Japan to life. During this docent-led tour, guests will have access to restricted areas throughout the Palace for an up-close look at precious objects, learn about people in Kalakaua’s inner circle, and hear stories about the King’s efforts to strengthen the Kingdom’s position on the world stage.

During the White Glove Tour, guests will go beyond the stanchions during a private and intimate tour led by the Iolani Palace Historian. Get a closer look at many precious objects in the Throne Room, State Dining Room and King Kalakaua’s Library. Guests will hear stories of the monarchs and learn of their distinguished place in Hawaii’s history as well as their impact on the world. The tour concludes in the Palace attic where guests will slip on a keepsake pair of white gloves for the unique chance to view items in the Palace collection not on display to the general public. They’ll learn about the special care it takes to protect and preserve these precious cultural objects for future generations.

Take a never before seen tour of the Chamberlain’s office suite and other rooms with the new Chamberlain’s Tour. This specialty tour brings a new perspective of life at Iolani Palace through the eyes of the Royal Chamberlain and other members of the Palace staff. The Chamberlain answered directly to the King and Queen and his office revealed what it took to run the royal household. For the first time, guests will be able to step into the Chamberlain’s office and hear insightful and enchanting stories about the monarchs who once walked the halls.

Iolani Palace is a living restoration of a proud Hawaiian national identity and is recognized as the spiritual and physical multicultural epicenter of Hawaii. Built in 1882 by King Kalakaua, Iolani Palace was the home of Hawaii’s last reigning monarchs and served as the official royal residence and the residence of the Kingdom’s political and social life until the overthrow of the monarchy in 1893.

Registered as a National Historic Landmark since 1962 and the only official royal residence in the United States, the Palace is one of the most recognizable buildings in Hawaii. Meticulously restored to its former grandeur, Iolani Palace tells of a time when their Majesties, King Kalakaua and his sister and successor, Queen Liliuokalani walked the grand halls.

Just because our doors are closed doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the rich culture, history and insights of a Palace visit.

We encourage you to explore the Palace from a new perspective through our various digital resources.

Iolani Palace has been meticulously restored to its former grandeur, featuring original palace furnishings and artifacts that have been recovered, restored and replicated. Open to the public for guided tours, the first floor consists of the public reception areas – the Grand Hall, State Dining Room, Blue Room, and Throne Room – while the second floors showcase the private suites, including the King and Queen’s suites, Music Room, and the Imprisonment Room.