Art is for Everyone: The Hawai’i State Art Museum

The Hawai’i State Art Museum, also known as HiSAM, is a place for history buffs and cultural aficionados alike. This museum makes its availability to the public a priority, aiming to offer a place where anyone is able to intake the creativity of Hawai’i’s people. They focus on hosting works from native and local artists, as well as diverse interpretations of Hawaiian culture.

HiSAM and Hawaiian History

The building that now contains the HiSAM has a rich story integral to O’ahu’s history. The building first opened as a hotel in 1872 after American politicians in King Kamehameha V’s cabinet convinced legislature to fund it. Once World War I hit, the hotel was then concerted into a military YMCA in 1917.

In 1926, termites were the cause of the building’s temporary demise. It was reconstructed with a Spanish flair by Lincoln Rogers to later be opened on March 16th, 1928. It is now in the National Register of Historic Places Listings of O’ahu as a part of the Hawai’i Capital Historic District.

HiSAM’s Art Arsenal

The HiSAM rotates many different exhibits throughout the calendar year. Each exhibit surrounds a certain theme and each work is the artist’s personal interpretation. The two featured exhibits on display currently are Accession and Fear of the Unknown, exploring motifs of change and discovery.

The HiSAM is also now hosting the winners of 2023’s Young Artists of Hawai’i competition, titled, Good Leaders Taking Action. In affiliation with Hawai’i’s Department of Education and Hawai’i’s Association of Independent Schools, students were able to submit their visual manifestation of what a leader looks like to them. The depictions ranged from collages of Queen Lili’uokalani to representations of everyday leaders like parents and siblings.

Visit HiSAM!

As the HiSAM’s main goal is to serve the people of Hawai’i, admission is always free! Their art exhibits are located on the ‘Ewa gallery on the second floor, and big bags and flash photography are prohibited. Find the details of their exhibits here: https://hisam.hawaii.gov/exhibits/

The HiSAM also holds events such as First Fridays and Second Saturdays. Guests can enjoy extraneous art and music accompanied by light fare and an evening atmosphere. The museum is no stranger to local music as well, for they often host shows ranging from smooth jazz to upbeat reggae. Again, most of these events are completely free unless rented by an independent party. Find their calendar events here: https://hisam.hawaii.gov/calendar/

If you’re looking for something mentally stimulating that doesn’t break the bank, the Hawai’i State Art Museum is the perfect place. You’re able to observe intricacies of artists’ creativity while also surrounded by a surplus of history. Its ambience is sure to decompress the mind as you quietly exist within the building’s charm.

by Vanessa Hathaway

As a writing intern for Honolulu Vibes, Vanessa Hathaway is passionate about creating quality content that allows audiences across oceans to collectively share her zest for adventure. Raised in Washington D.C and Las Vegas, Vanessa moved to O’ahu to pursue a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in English at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa. She spends her free time playing gigs with her band, Blue Tuesday, and surfing at the local longboard spots in Honolulu.

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