The Kauai Museum

Take a journey through time – island time – at The Kauai Museum, a must-visit celebration of Hawaiian history and heritage.

The museum is a vivid and authentic portrayal of the indigenous and immigrant people of Kauai through their art and artifacts. A thorough exploration of Hawaiian history, the museum is one of the most rewarding local attractions for visitors keen to lift the veil on a misunderstood past.

Take a brief break from the breathtaking views outside your resort rentals on Waipouli Beach and head south to Lihue to spend an hour or two at this acclaimed museum.

About The Kauai Museum

The Kauai Museum’s mission is the preservation of cultural heritage. Open since 1924, it is on the national register of historic places and listed as a state historic site since 1979.

Its curators reflect the Hawaiian Islands’ complex past, from ancient to contemporary. The museum works in collaboration with the indigenous and immigrant peoples of Hawaii in order to preserve and sustain tradition, culture, and beliefs. Through art, The Kauai Museum depicts this challenge, as well as the culture and artistic achievements of Hawaiians through the ages.

The museum’s exhibits and programs serve as an education tool for both the international community and future generations of islanders. An important part of what the museum does is offer access to art, artifacts, archives to researchers.

Exhibits

The museum is home to lots of artifacts but is best-known for its eclectic collection of Kauai fine art. Visitors will also find plaques, photographs, and other information sharing stories of Kauai history and the incredible people that made it.

Guides are stationed throughout the museum to offer assistance and their personal reflections and musings on the art. A small gift shop is open for hand-crafted jewelry, fine art, collectible items, and antiques.

Cultural Events

The museum hosts many regular and special events. On Tuesdays during the month of March, guests can attend special tours on Ancient Hawaiian culture. On Mondays listen to tales, like one on Polynesian navigation, from local storyteller Jim Jung.

The museum also offers painting classes, typically on Saturdays. For the month of March, local artist Evelyn Ritter will share some of her mural-style painting skills with students. Reservations are required for the class.

Other Saturday events include live ukulele music, coconut weaving, throw net making, and hula class. Many of the events are great for all ages and free of charge.

The Archives

The archives open Wednesdays during regular business hours. The archive hall features hundreds of photographs, historical documentation of rich culture.

Many photographs feature traditional fishing techniques and snapshots of daily life. Others are of special events, rituals, traditions, and Hawaiian sports. Most of the photographs date back just over a century, and copies are allowed for a small fee.

A trip to the Kauai Museum will add essential context for your Kauai adventures. You can expand your travels here and have a narrative and a basis for the sights and sounds. Explore the many natural attractions through a new lens of Hawaiian history.

Museum Details

The museum is located at 4428 Rice St., Lihue, HI – about a 20-minute drive from our Waipouli Beach Resort rentals. Hours of operation are Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed Sundays and most holidays).

Visitors can contact the office at (808) 245-6931 for more information on events and membership. Admission is $15 per person, with $10 for seniors, $12 for students, and $10 for children under 7.

With tons of great things to do and Hawaiian history to learn, Kauai is a top vacation spot to add to your list.