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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
- July 19, 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.
- July 19, 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.
- July 21, 2025 @ 9:30 am - 10:00 am
- Categories: 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 24, 2025 @ 5:15 pm - 6:15 pm
- Categories: Branch book clubs, Culture
- Contact: 808-586-3500
Join us for the next meeting of our monthly Spanish book club!
El Rincón Literario de Hawai’i will meet to share at the Language, Literature, and History section, 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.
Ages 15 or older.
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.
- July 24, 2025 @ 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
- Categories: Books, Community, Entertainment, Poetry, Reading programs, Relationship & networking
- Contact: 808-586-3500
Looking for your special someone in all the right places? Join us for a fun, lively evening of speed dating for singles ages 25–35, featuring a series of short, one-on-one conversations. Meet new people and make authentic connections. Who knows, you just might find your match! Invite your friends, too — everyone’s in for a great time.
This free event is designed to foster genuine, respectful interactions in a welcoming setting.
After the rotations, stick around to mingle, continue the conversation, explore a curated selection of love poetry, romantic fiction, and relationship guidebooks from our book truck, or sign up for our Summer Reading Challenge program.
RSVP by July 17, 2025:
Call 808‑586‑3477 or email ohsfed@librarieshawaii.org with your name, age, gender, contact information, and a short bio. We’ll confirm your spot by July 21, 2025.
Please note:
- All participants must pass a background check against sex offender and criminal registries. By RSVPing, you consent to this screening. Your information will be kept confidential and used solely for event safety.
- Spots may be limited based on event matching criteria. If registrations are unbalanced by gender, we may not be able to offer spots to all registrants.
- A valid photo ID is required at check-in.
Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in the 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 26, 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.
- July 26, 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.
- July 26, 2025 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
- Categories: Arts & Crafts
- Contact: 808-586-3500
Join us at the Hawaii State Library with artist and teacher Paige Su of Poshiki LLC to learn the basics of watercolor. Make your own shave ice art and customize it any way you want.
Space is limited; reserve your space by calling the Arts, Music, and Recreation Section at (808)586-3520. For ages 10 and up.
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 28, 2025 @ 9:30 am - 10:00 am
- Categories: 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 2, 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 |
