Hawai‘i State Library

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.

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

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. 

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 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.

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. 

Silent Book Club
Globe character reading while sitting on top of a pile of books

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.

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 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.

Fritter’s Final Riddle – Teen Escape Room
Photo of black metal box locked with a hasp and several combination locks.

Calling all teens in Grades 7-12, join us at the downtown Hawai’i State Library for a game of wits!

Teen snack tycoon Chris P. Fritter is retiring and leaving his multi-million dollar company to whoever wins his library challenge. Do you have what it takes to solve the cryptic puzzles and unlock the “vault” before time runs out?

Please call 808-586-3490  or stop by the Young Adult Reference Desk to RSVP for (1) timeslot below:

Session A: 1:00pm to 1:40pm
Session B: 1:40pm to 2:10pm
Session C: 2:10pm to 2:50pm

Please arrive on time. Maximum 5 players per session. Walk-ins welcome, space 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. Program schedule is subject to change.

Hawaiʻi Literary Corner – El Rincón Literario de Hawaiʻi

Join us for our monthly Spanish Book Club!

El Rincón Literario de Hawaiʻi will meet to share and discuss “El Palacio de la Medianoche” by Carlos Ruiz Zafón. 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 Palacio de la Medianoche” de Carlos Ruiz Zafón. 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 on the HSPLS Events Calendar.

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. 

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 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.

Hawaii State Library Presents: The Sheep Detectives (PG) Free Movie Screening
  • September 19, 2026 @ 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
  • Contact: 808-586-3500

Heartwarming Whodunnit!

Synopsis: George Hardy ( played by Hugh Jackman) is a shepherd who loves to read murder mysteries to his sheep, never suspecting that they can understand him. When George is found dead under mysterious circumstances, the sheep decide to solve the crime themselves, even if it means leaving their meadow for the first time and facing the fact that the human world isn’t as simple as it appears in books.

Director: Kyle Balda

Seating in 2nd Floor AMR Reading Room on a space available basis.

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.

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

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HOLIDAY CLOSURE | In observance of Statehood Day, all public libraries will be closed on Friday, August 21, 2026.

ALERT | In observance of Labor Day, all public libraries will be closed Saturday, September 5 through Monday, September 7, 2026.

HOLIDAY CLOSURE | In observance of General Election Day, all public libraries will be closed on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

HOLIDAY CLOSURE | In observance of Veterans Day, all public libraries will be closed on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.

HOLIDAY CLOSURE | In observance of Thanksgiving Day, all public libraries will be closed on Thursday, November 26, 2026.

HOLIDAY CLOSURE | In observance of Christmas Day, all public libraries will be closed on Friday, December 25, 2026.

ALERT | AUGUST 20 2026 - The following libraries remain closed on Hawaii Island: Nāʻālehu and Pāhala. We stand with our communities that have been hit the hardest by Lala, and know that your Hawaiʻi Public Library System is here to support you.

ALERT | NETWORK MAINTENANCE - Friday,  August 21, 2026 , 9:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. HST - The library's public websites, online catalog, digital services,  and library app may experience temporary interruptions. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience.