9 Best Museums In Hawaii

Hawaii is not all surf culture, luaus, and mai tais; it also boasts an impressive array of museums and historic sites that celebrate its rich history, diverse culture, and natural beauty. For history buffs wanting to honor pivotal moments in American history, the Pearl Harbor National Memorial includes several sites commemorating the events of December 7, 1941. The Bishop Museum in Honolulu is a treasure trove of Hawaiian artifacts and Polynesian history. Meanwhile, nature lovers will enjoy the Lyman Museum on the Big Island, showcasing Hawaii's volcanic geology and unique ecosystems. Here are the nine best museums in Hawaii that add a fun and fascinating layer to the breathtaking scenery and island charm.

Pearl Harbor National Memorial, Waipahu

The Pearl Harbor National Memorial historic site, close to both Waipahu and Honolulu, commemorates the events of December 7, 1941, and includes multiple museums and memorials. Military enthusiasts can easily spend all day exploring the various sites dedicated to what President Franklin D. Roosevelt referred to as the “darkest day in American history.” It's a good idea to plan your itinerary carefully, including a visit to the must-see USS Arizona Memorial. The tour begins at the Pearl Harbor Memorial Theater, where visitors watch a film that recounts the escalating tension with Japan during World War II, followed by a Navy boat ride to the memorial. The memorial is built on top of the sunken battleship, and visitors can also explore two free museums: the Road to War Museum and the Attack Museum.

Following the visit to the memorial, visitors can purchase tickets for a bus trip to nearby Ford Island, an active US military base, to see the USS Missouri, the historic battleship where Japan surrendered, the USS Oklahoma Memorial, and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, whose collection includes vintage aircraft used at Pearl Harbor. The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center serves as the starting point for exploring any of these incredible sites and memorials. For a midday break, head to the local favorite Restaurant 604, located on the waterfront in Pearl Harbor.

Bishop Museum, Honolulu

The Bishop Museum is a top destination for anyone interested in Hawaiian culture, history, and natural science. Founded in 1889 by Charles Reed Bishop, the museum is a tribute to his late wife, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last descendant of the royal Kamehameha family. The museum’s world-renowned collection comprises over 25 million artifacts from Polynesia, Micronesia, and Melanesia, tracing the history of the peoples of Hawaii and the Pacific.

The museum is organized into halls, with the Hawaiian Hall featuring most of the collections, including the awe-inspiring life-size replica of a sperm whale hanging from the ceiling. Other halls showcase the Pacific peoples, the Hawaiian monarchy, and the most extensive collection of 19th-century Hawaiian art, including oil paintings and collectibles. If kids are in tow, the J. Watumull Planetarium is a must-see stop where its current show, “Wayfinders,” celebrates the traditional culture of Hawaiian wayfinding. After visiting the museum, head to the nearby Rainbow Drive-In, a beloved institution serving classic, Hawaiian-style plate lunches.

Parker Ranch Historic Homes, Waimea

Explore Hawaii’s paniolo, or Hawaiian cowboy, culture, with a trip to the Parker Ranch Historic Homes in Waimea on the Big Island of Hawaii. Founded in 1847 by John Palmer Parker, the ranch spans about 130,000 acres where visitors can take a self-guided tour of two historic homes on what was once one of the largest ranches in the United States: Puuopelu and Mana Hale. The tour offers history enthusiasts a glimpse into 200 years of the Parker family’s rich legacy and its connections to the land and the monarchy, with rooms filled with historic family heirlooms and works of art.

While the working cattle ranch doesn’t offer horseback riding tours, nearby ranches Kahua Ranch and Paniolo Ranch let outdoor enthusiasts saddle up for tours through the stunning landscapes. The Big Island Brewhaus is the perfect pub for a pit stop after visiting the ranch to try a flight of 5 samples along with “haus” favorite tacos.

Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum, Puunene

The Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum, located in historic Puunene, gives museum visitors a glimpse into Maui’s plantation-era past. The small plantation town that once centered around the now-closed Puunene Sugar Mill is the perfect location for the 1,800-square-foot museum, which celebrates the vital role “King Sugar” played in shaping the island’s economy, culture, and community. Showcasing 168 years of sugar, visitors can wander through various rooms dedicated to the partnership between Samuel T. Alexander and Henry P. Baldwin, Maui’s developing sugar industry, the immigrants from Japan and China who worked in the plantations, and see interactive displays, including a working scale model of a sugar cane crushing machine. Stop by the Maui Brewing Co. Kihei for a cold Sunshine Girl Golden Ale with a spectacular ocean view post-museum.

Lyman Museum and Mission House, Hilo

The Lyman Museum and Mission House is a Smithsonian-affiliated institution in historic Hilo, exploring Hawaii’s rich natural and cultural history. It is the island’s only Hawaiian history museum, featuring exhibits on everything from volcanoes to minerals and gems. In the Earth Heritage Gallery, natural history fans can walk through a lava tube to experience various Hawaiian climate zones, from alpine snow to open ocean environments. The Island Heritage Gallery explores the history of the people, cultures, events, and ideas that have influenced Hawaii from the monarchy to statehood in 1959.

Throughout the year, the museum hosts rotating exhibits, such as "Japanese Women in Hawaii," "Christmas in Hawaii," and "Elections in Hawaii," which highlight the years from 1873 to 1962. Next door to the museum, the Lyman Mission House, built in 1839, is the oldest wood-frame building on the Big Island and was once home to missionaries David and Sarah Lyman. Cool off with a shaved ice or iced latte at Kula Shave Ice after the Lyman Museum and Mission House.

Kauai Museum, Lihue

The Kauai Museum is a cultural sanctuary located in the town of Lihue on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, dedicated to preserving the stories of Kauai and its sister island, Niihau. The museum officially opened on December 3, 1960, and collaborates with the island community to promote cultural education and engagement by offering weekly classes in painting, lei making, weaving, hula, and other arts.

Due to its geographic isolation from the other Hawaiian islands, Kauaʻi boasts distinct traditions and a deep connection to the island's lush natural beauty, where culture and landscape are deeply intertwined. Several historic lighthouses are located nearby, including the Nawiliwili Lighthouse (also known as Ninini Point Lighthouse), which has remained operational since 1897.

Continue to learn about the island’s plantation history with a visit to Lydgate Farms, less than 10 miles from the museum, for an indulgent chocolate farm tour. The farm has been recognized as a grower of the world's top 50 Best cacao beans and won the “Cacao of Excellence 2023” award.

Kona Coffee Living History Farm, Kealakekua

Coffee lovers to the Big Island shouldn’t miss a chance to try a cup of one of Hawaii’s most famous signature exports, Kona Coffee. Prized for its smooth, rich flavor, Kona Coffee is grown on the slopes of the Hualalai and Mauna Loa volcanoes in the North and South Kona districts. The 5.5-acre Kona Coffee Living History Farm was established in 1900. The open-air agriculture museum depicts the daily lives of early Japanese immigrants to Hawaii during the period from 1920 to 1945. The Kona Coffee Living History Farm is the only living history coffee farm in the U.S., and offers self-guided tours that include the coffee orchard, farmhouse, and coffee mill.

For serious coffee enthusiasts, the area around the museum is dotted with coffee farms that offer tours and tastings. Check out nearby Greenwell Farms, Hula Daddy Coffee, and Heavenly Hawaiian, where visitors can book an hour-long “Brew Your Best Cup” Coffee Brewing Workshop.

Laupahoehoe Train Museum, Laupahoehoe

Located on the Big Island, the Laupahoehoe Train Museum is a charming, community-run museum that highlights the history of the Hilo Railroad (later known as the Hawaii Consolidated Railway) and its impact on Hawaii’s transportation. The railroad transported passengers and goods up and down the Hamakua Coast from 1899 until 1946. Housed inside an old station agent’s home that is kitted out in mid-1900s furniture, the museum features old photographs, railroad artifacts, and memorabilia—perfect for train enthusiasts. After the visit to the train museum, take a short drive and stop at the nonprofit Magical Creatures Sanctuary, an organization devoted to rescuing and rehabilitating farm animals.

Pahoa Lava Zone Museum, Pahoa

When the 2018 eruption of the Kilauea volcano caused severe structural damage to the Thomas A. Jaggar Museum and adjacent Hawaiian Volcano Observatory in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the community of historic Pahoa opened the Pahoa Lava Zone Museum to accommodate visitors and rescued items from the permanently closed Jaggar Museum. The Pahoa Lava Zone Museum is dedicated to preserving the stories of the 2018 Lower East Rift Zone (LERZ) eruption of Kilauea Volcano, one of the world's most active volcanoes. Inside, visitors can watch multimedia videos and photographs capturing the eruption, view artifacts such as lava rocks and unique rock formations donated by residents, and see rescued displays from the Jaggar Museum.

The nonprofit museum also plays a role in the economic recovery of the Puna District by attracting tourism. Plan on spending time in the historic town and pick up a Puna Drive Guide to explore the area. Visit the Star of the Sea Painted Church, the nearby Lava Trees State Park, and stop in at Kaleo’s Bar & Grill for signature cocktails and fresh fish dishes.

As if the Aloha State could get any more beautiful, Hawaii offers the perfect mix of natural beauty and rich culture, making it an ideal destination for those seeking both exploration and education. Complement the numerous opportunities for outdoor adventure with visits to Hawaii’s rich array of museums, such as the Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum, the Kona Coffee Living History Farm, and the Pahoa Lava Zone Museum, where visitors can explore the islands’ plantation history, coffee culture, and unique geology. Whether trekking through lush valleys or exploring the stories behind historic artifacts, Hawaii invites visitors to experience its diverse beauty and heritage in equal measure with a visit to any of the nine best museums in Hawaii.