Hawaii offers more than sports, gourmet dining, and shopping. In Honolulu, you can explore some of the finest art collections globally. Why not enrich your Hawaiian adventure with a day of art appreciation?

The Honolulu Museum of Art, nestled in downtown Honolulu, was established in 1927 by philanthropist Anna Rice Cooke. Fueled by her husband’s fortune from agricultural and banking ventures, Cooke began acquiring artworks worldwide. She believed the diverse ethnicities of the Hawaiian Islands should appreciate and understand each other’s cultures and spirits.

Today, the museum boasts over 55,000 pieces, thanks to numerous donations over the years.

The museum’s architecture reflects a Hawaiian essence, with themed galleries connected by open-air corridors and French sculptures adorning the courtyard.

The collection spans ancient to contemporary art from around the globe. Visitors can admire European modern art by Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cézanne, Picasso, Matisse, and Modigliani, along with works from Japan, China, Korea, Southeast Asia, and India. The ukiyo-e woodblock prints by Hiroshige are particularly noteworthy. The museum also showcases American art, including notable Hawaiian pieces, feathered capes, and quilts.

Spending a day at the museum during your vacation will undoubtedly leave you with an intellectually enriching and memorable souvenir of Hawaii.