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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.
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
- November 7, 2025 @ 9:00 am - November 29, 2025 @ 3:00 pm
- Categories: Arts & Crafts, Books, Community, Holiday Season
- Contact: 808-586-3500
Feeling crafty? Help us decorate our Christmas wreath using recycled materials. All supplies and instructions will be provided. Just bring your holiday spirit!
Children under 10 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
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 at librarieshawaii.org/events.
- November 8, 2025
- Categories: Community, Entertainment, Games
- Contact: 808-586-3500
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.
- November 8, 2025 @ 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 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.
- November 8, 2025 @ 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm
- Categories: Arts & Crafts, Holiday Season
- Contact: 808-586-3500
Aloha!
This program is open to adults and older teens who are curious to try knitting in the round, on circular/cable needles.
We will begin our toe-up sock instruction with the Turkish cast-on.
Participants should already know how to form a knit stitch. Purling not required for this project.
All tools and materials will be provided.
Seating is limited. Reserve your spot by calling (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. Advanced requests 48 hours or more before the event are encouraged, but ot required. All programs are subject to change.
- November 15, 2025
- Categories: Community, Entertainment, Games
- Contact: 808-586-3500
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.
- November 15, 2025 @ 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 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.
- November 15, 2025 @ 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
- Categories: Books, Branch book clubs, Culture
- Contact: 808-586-3500
Join us for our monthly Spanish Book Club!
El Rincón Literario de Hawaiʻi will meet to share and discuss “El Alquimista” by Paulo Coelho. Limited copies of the book are available in the Hawaiʻi State Public Library system.
¡Únase a nosotros mientras lanzamos un nuevo club de lectura para hispanohablantes!
El Rincón Literario de Hawaiʻi se reunirá para compartir y discutir “El Alquimista” de Paulo Coelho. Hay copias limitadas del libro disponibles en el sistema de bibliotecas públicas del estado de Hawáiʻi.
Para más información contacte a Pamela Shepard Garcia, (808) 570-9977.
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 at librarieshawaii.org/events.
- November 22, 2025
- Categories: Community, Entertainment, Games
- Contact: 808-586-3500
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.
- November 22, 2025 @ 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 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.
- November 29, 2025
- Categories: Community, Entertainment, Games
- Contact: 808-586-3500
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.
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 |
