Visit Capitol Modern
Hawaii’s biggest little art collection awaits, so get ready to activate your imagination. Stroll and reflect, unleash your creativity, and interact with an evolving portrait of Hawaii’s beauty, diversity and complexity.
Free Forever
Museum admission is always free! This includes all museum exhibits, events, and activities.
Hours
Open Monday - Saturday, 10 AM to 4 PM. Closed on Sundays and most federal holidays.
Planning Your Visit
Admission to our grounds, galleries and events is always free, and no advance tickets are required. Simply check our hours, exhibit and event information, and come visit us today.
Visitor Guidelines
Capitol Modern belongs to all. Respect the art and those around you and help everyone enjoy their museum experience.
Don't Touch the Art
Did you know that artworks can be damaged by even the slightest contact? Help preserve this art for future generations.
Food & Smoking
To protect the art and the museum galleries, no food or drink is allowed. Smoking, including e-cigarettes, is prohibited throughout this and all state buildings.
Backpacks, Large Items, & Umbrellas
For safety reasons, all items larger than 11x15 inches must be checked in and held at the information desk.
Accessibility
Wheelchair/Stroller Access
Use the walkway at our Richards Street gate entrance, leading to the right side of the building facing Richards Street. As you enter 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.
Service Animals
No animals are permitted on state property except for professionally trained service animals.
Getting Here
Located downtown in Honolulu’s historic Capitol District, next to ‘Iolani Palace and the State Government, it’s easy to pop in to explore contemporary art, whether by bus, car or foot.
Parking
There is no parking available onsite. Metered street parking is available, in addition to nearby lots:
Iolani Palace Grounds
Accessible Spots: 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
Accessible Spots: 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 (time limit applies only to accessible spots).
State Parking Lots (accessible parking only)
Accessible Spots: 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).
Public Transportation
TheBus
Many bus routes stop directly in front of or very close to the museum. Find routes and schedules online at www.thebus.org.
The Waikiki Trolley
The Red Line State Capitol Stop is a short walk from HiSAM. Find schedules 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).
Bike 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.
Getting Around
Capitol Modern has four galleries totaling around 19,500 square feet. It also features other exhibition and live event areas including the Front Lawn, the Second Floor Courtyard, The POD, and the Sculpture Garden.
Level 1
Accessible Entrance
Information Desk
The POD (Passion on Display)
Sculpture Garden
Level 2
Information Desk
Second Floor Sculpture Lobby
Lē‘ahi Gallery
‘Ewa Gallery
The Turnaround Gallery
Second Floor Courtyard
Lē‘ahi Gallery
The largest interior gallery with 6,200 square feet of exhibition space. Features large scale exhibitions as well as K-12 student exhibitions.
‘Ewa Gallery
4,000 square feet. Houses both two- and three-dimensional pieces from the state art collection.
The POD
Ground floor space designated for the Capitol Modern Artist-In-Residence program: Passion On Display.
Sculpture Garden
Features exceptional three-dimensional works in what was once a recreational area with 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.
Experience the museum from home
Take a virtual tour! Get up-close views and information about artworks in exhibits past and present.
Explore ArtAbout us
Capitol Modern is Hawai‘i’s State Art Museum, the primary venue for the display and interpretation of the Art in Public Places (APP) Collection, the largest collection of contemporary Hawai‘i art.
Our MissionReach Out
Have questions, feedback or just want to say hello? Capitol Modern would love to hear from you.
Contact Us