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Hawai‘i 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.
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.
Upcoming events at this branch
- July 18, 2026 @ 10:30 am - 11:00 am
- Categories: Storytime (for kids)
- Contact: 808-586-3500
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 2-5; 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.
- July 18, 2026 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
- Contact: 808-586-3500
Join us in the lobby for a solo performance by violinist Clara Kim, featuring contemporary classical works by composers with whom she has personal connections. The repertoire includes pieces by Los Angeles–based Sarah Gibson, Bobby Ge (a Barlow Prize winner), and two works by Kanaka Maoli composer and multimedia artist Leilehua Lanzilotti.
The performance explores themes of time, place, and personal memory – touching on experiences ranging from childhood nostalgia to the COVID era to the shores of Hawaiʻi. Along the way, Kim will offer insights into each composer and their work. A 10-minute audience Q&A will follow.
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 schedules are subject to change. Events will not be held on State holidays.
- July 20, 2026 @ 9:30 am - 10:00 am
- Categories: Books, Storytime (for kids)
- Contact: 808-586-3500
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.
- July 25, 2026 @ 10:30 am - 11:00 am
- Categories: Storytime (for kids)
- Contact: 808-586-3500
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 2-5; 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.
- July 25, 2026 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
- Categories: Arts & Crafts
- Contact: 808-586-3500
Drop by the Social Science & Philosophy room at the Hawaii State Library and learn how to make an origami strawberry and candy dish. Materials will be provided. Participants can make their own creations, time-permitting.
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.
- July 27, 2026 @ 9:30 am - 10:00 am
- Categories: Books, Storytime (for kids)
- Contact: 808-586-3500
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.
- July 30, 2026 @ 4:30 pm - 7:00 pm
- Contact: 808-586-3500
Join us for a community pau hana as we reflect on Hawaiʻi’s past, engage with today’s civil rights challenges, and imagine the next 250 years together. Enjoy light refreshments while connecting with local organizations working on issues including safety and peace for all, a living wage, climate justice, reproductive rights, and voting rights. The evening will kick off with a brief introduction and lightning talks from local advocates. Exchange literature, zines, and opportunities to get involved, and participate in an interactive Vision Wall where community members of all ages can share their hopes for the future. Brought to you by ACLU Hawaii.
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.
- August 1, 2026 @ 10:30 am - 11:00 am
- Categories: Storytime (for kids)
- Contact: 808-586-3500
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 2-5; 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.
- August 3, 2026 @ 9:30 am - 10:00 am
- Categories: Books, Storytime (for kids)
- Contact: 808-586-3500
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.
- August 6, 2026 @ 5:00 pm
- Categories: Books, Branch book clubs
- Contact: 808-586-3500
Join us for our Silent Book Club, a monthly gathering for those who enjoy reading in a quiet, shared space. Meetings are held on the first Thursday of every month, in the Language, Literature, and History Reference Area and Courtyard of the Hawai‘i State Library.
Participation is simple. Bring a book of your choice or select one from the library’s collection. There are no assigned books, no deadlines, and no required discussions—just the joy of reading in companionable silence.
All ages are welcome. Children must be accompanied by a parent or an adult 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. All programs are subject to change. See a schedule of upcoming events on the HSPLS Events Calendar.
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 | 0 |
| 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 |
