Hawai‘i State Library

The Hawai‘i State Library is an authorized Passport Acceptance Facility. Learn about passport processing hours and requirements.

The library’s Audiovisual Section, which houses an extensive DVD and CD collection, is open daily. Monday through Friday the AV Section closes from 11:00 am to 2 pm. The AV Section is open for browsing Thursday evening, and all day Saturday.

Address

478 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96813, United States
Directions

TEL: 808-586-3500

Hawaii State Library

About

Welcome to the Hawai‘i State Library, the flagship of the Hawai‘i State Public Library System! With financial assistance from Andrew Carnegie, the present location was acquired and the existing building was built and opened on Feb. 1, 1913. We have a variety of special resources, most notably our Hawai‘i & Pacific Section, the Edna Allyn Room Children’s collection, and also the Federal Documents Section, which has been a Selective Federal Depository Library since 1929. We are located in the historic capitol district of Honolulu, next door to the only Royal Palace in the United States.

Upcoming events at this branch

Teen Kpop Silent Disco with VJ Youkai
4 teens in colorful clothing dancing in the library to kpop beats playing from their headphones

Calling all teens in Grades 7 and Up!!! Join us for a silent disco at the downtown Hawaiʻi State Library. Put on headphones, tune in to music by your favorite Honmoon defenders, and groove to the beats in the stacks! Participants under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Please RSVP below.

To participate you will need to provide an ID that we will hold in exchange for your headset rental. Your ID will be returned once you return the headset. There is no time commitment, join us and dance for 15 minutes or the full 2 hours. Once a headset is turned in, another patron will be able to borrow it. (A limited number of headsets for walk-ins will be available on a first come, first served basis). 

This event is sponsored by Friends of the Library of Hawaiʻi.

Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service or activity should contact library staff as soon as possible. Advance requests 48 hours or more before the event are encouraged, but not required. All programs are subject to change.

Saturday Game Play
playing board games with dice, colorful board and pieces. red, blue, yellow and green. strategy games.

Come play and meet new friends on Saturdays in the Art, Music, & Recreation (AMR) Section on the 2nd floor of the Main Library.

We have Sorry, Chess, Checkers, Go, Yahtzee, Scrabble, Cribbage, occasionally Bingo, and other family-friendly board and card games available, some light instruction, and a little or a lot of encouragement!

Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity should contact library staff as soon as possible. Advance requests 48 hours or more before the event are encouraged, but not required. All programs are subject to change. See a schedule of upcoming events on the HSPLS Events Calendar.

Children’s Storytime
cartoon animals reading a book

Join us for Children’s Storytime on Saturdays at the Hawai’i State Library. Families can enjoy stories, rhymes, songs, and crafts. Best for ages 3-5; all ages welcome. Children must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.

Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service or activity should contact library staff as soon as possible. Advance requests 48 hours or more before the event are encouraged, but not required. Program schedule is subject to change.

The Easiest Crochet Bookmark
crochet bookmark images

Join us at the Hawaii State Library with the McKinley High School Crochet Club to learn the basics of crochet. Perfect for absolute beginners, anyone wanting a refresher or crochet with some new friends. All tools and materials will be provided. Left-hand instruction will be available.

For ages 12 and up.

Space is limited. To save your spot call the Young Adult Section at (808)586-3490 or the Arts, Music, and Recreation Section at (808)586-3520.

Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity should contact library staff as soon as possible. Advance requests 48 hours or more before the event are encouraged, but not required. All programs are subject to change.

 

CANCELED – A Reading by Donald Carreira Ching
Portrait of author

PLEASE NOTE: *Due to unforeseen circumstances, this event has been canceled. We apologize for the inconvenience.*

Against a backdrop of economic hardship, housing instability, cultural transition, and environmental loss, Carreira Ching’s new collection, Blood Work and Other Stories, focuses on the complexities of identity, family, and belonging. His characters live in a Hawai’i far removed from tourist postcards, navigating grief, displacement, and intergenerational trauma. Still, in the overlooked corners of the islands, they hold tight to the connections that root them in community.

Donald Carreira Ching was born and raised in Kahaluʻu on the island of Oʻahu. His debut novel, Between Sky and Sea: A Family’s Struggle, was published by Bamboo Ridge Press in 2015 and was awarded the Ka Palapala Poʻokela award for excellence in literature, honorable mention, and is listed by Honolulu Magazine as one of Hawaiʻi’s “essential books.” His collection, Blood Work and Other Stories, was released this year. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Writing at Leeward Community College.

Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service or activity should contact library staff as soon as possible. Advance requests 48 hours or more before the event are encouraged, but not required. Program schedule is subject to change.

Baby Storytime
seated parent with child on lap look at book. ABC, music notes, and stars surround them

Join us in the Edna Allyn Room for Children for lap-sit storytime! Bring your babies (0-23 months) and a blanket for stories, interactive rhymes, and songs in this 30-minute program.

All children must be accompanied by an adult. 

All programs are subject to change.  Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity should contact library staff as soon as possible. Advance requests 48 hours or more before the event are encouraged, but not required. 

Saturday Game Play
playing board games with dice, colorful board and pieces. red, blue, yellow and green. strategy games.

Come play and meet new friends on Saturdays in the Art, Music, & Recreation (AMR) Section on the 2nd floor of the Main Library.

We have Sorry, Chess, Checkers, Go, Yahtzee, Scrabble, Cribbage, occasionally Bingo, and other family-friendly board and card games available, some light instruction, and a little or a lot of encouragement!

Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity should contact library staff as soon as possible. Advance requests 48 hours or more before the event are encouraged, but not required. All programs are subject to change. See a schedule of upcoming events on the HSPLS Events Calendar.

Children’s Storytime
cartoon animals reading a book

Join us for Children’s Storytime on Saturdays at the Hawai’i State Library. Families can enjoy stories, rhymes, songs, and crafts. Best for ages 3-5; all ages welcome. Children must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.

Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service or activity should contact library staff as soon as possible. Advance requests 48 hours or more before the event are encouraged, but not required. Program schedule is subject to change.

Stories on Screen: Like Water for Chocolate
poster for Like Water for Chocolate movie

Join us at the Hawaii State Library’s LLH Reading Room for a free screening of Like Water for Chocolate. After the movie, our Spanish Book Club will lead a lively discussion of Laura Esquivel’s classic novel. Free and open to everyone—no registration required!

¡Acompáñanos en la Biblioteca Pública para una proyección gratuita de Como Agua para Chocolate! Después de la película, nuestro Club de Lectura en Español dirigirá una animada conversación sobre la novela clásica de Laura Esquivel. Gratis y abierto a todos—¡no se requiere inscripción!

This movie has an “R” rating and mean that a movie is not suitable for children under 17 unless accompanied by a parent or adult guardian.
R-rated films contain mature content and are intended for an adult audience.

Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service or activity should contact library staff as soon as possible. Advance requests 48 hours or more before the event are encouraged, but not required. Program schedule is subject to change.

Baby Storytime
seated parent with child on lap look at book. ABC, music notes, and stars surround them

Join us in the Edna Allyn Room for Children for lap-sit storytime! Bring your babies (0-23 months) and a blanket for stories, interactive rhymes, and songs in this 30-minute program.

All children must be accompanied by an adult. 

All programs are subject to change.  Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity should contact library staff as soon as possible. Advance requests 48 hours or more before the event are encouraged, but not required. 

Hours

Date Time
Monday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday CLOSED - CLOSED

Access

Parking spots 0
Parking fee Metered
Handicap parking spots 2
Book drop off Yes
Restrooms Yes

Services

Computers 54
Magazines 208
Newspapers 24
WiFi Yes
Friends' book store Yes
Free computer classes Yes
Meeting rooms No
Photocopying Yes
Test proctoring services No

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ALERT | In holiday observance of Veterans Day, all public libraries will be closed on Tuesday, November 11, 2025.

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