Sight-Freeing
You’ve always been a connoisseur of the arts. Okay, maybe recently it’s been more like a connoisseur of A&E. Oo, tonight there’s a new episode of Dog the Bounty Hunter.
Sounds like it’s time to refind your love of culture. But where to Van Gogh? (Especially when you’re running low on Monet.)
Here’s an idea that’s an O’Keefer. We’ve rounded up a list of the kamaaina days, when just a local driver’s license or military ID will get you in free to Hawaii’s museums. But don’t dilly Dali; a few require reserving a spot way in advance.
Shangri La
First Wednesday of every month.
Why You’ll Want to Go: When one of the world’s richest women comes to Hawaii, what does she do? Doris Duke built an Islamic oasis overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Inspired by her honeymoon in Muslim countries in 1935 and a trip to the islands, Duke decorated her home with painted ceilings, elaborate carvings, mosaics and much more in a style you won’t see anywhere else in the islands.
Where: Tours begin at the Honolulu Academy of Arts. Shuttles take you to the private property.
Next Free Admission Day: Wednesday, May 4.
Details: Reservations for the popular tour are done by lottery. Requests are due by Thursday for spots in the May tour. Go to the Academy of Arts or click here to get a form.
Iolani Palace
First Sunday of every month.
Why You’ll Want to Go:If the last time you visited you had to hold hands to cross the parking lot, it may be time for another trip (sans those matching school T-shirts) to America’s only royal residence. Curators are always adding newly-found pieces that disappeared from the palace decades ago. And many have fascinating stories, such the table returned by a tourist who spotted it in a historic photograph while on a tour of the palace.
Where: Iolani Palace, 364 S. King St.
Next Free Admission Day: Sunday, April 3
Details: Tickets are first come, first served.
Tip: You may want to wait until the next free day on May 2 so you can tour the completely redone Music Room. From recreating the drapery to recovering many of the items, it’s the first full room renovation in more than 20 years.
The Contemporary Museum
Third Thursday of every month
Why You’ll Want to Go: The 1925 Spalding House that serves as TCM’s home is the oldest item there. The Makiki Heights museum focuses on paintings, photography, clay and metal sculptures, and other pieces created after 1940. Even if you’ve wandered through its galleries or outdoor sculpture garden before, The Contemporary Museum doesn’t have enough display space for its 3,000 pieces, so you’ll always see something new every time you return.
Where: 2411 Makiki Heights Drive.
Next Free Admission Day: Thursday, April 21. Docent tours are at noon that day.
Details: Admission is always free at TCM’s downtown gallery in the First Hawaiian Bank Center, 999 Bishop St. Click here to see what’s currently exhibited in both locations or call 808.536.1322
Tip: No admission is needed for the museum’s popular café which has its own revolving gallery. Reservations are suggested though: 808.523.3362
Honolulu Academy of Arts
First Wednesday of the month
Why You’ll Want to Go:It’s one of the oldest and largest museums with more than 60,000 works from the last 5,000 years. It’s known for the Japanese woodblock prints and Asian art. But it’s easy to get lost in its rooms of limestone and cuneiform tablets from Egypt and Babylon, European oil paintings from the 1500’s, Hawaiian feather capes and even Georgia O’Keefe’s Maui landscapes.
Where: 900 S. Beretania St.
Next Free Admission Day: Wednesday, April 6. But there’s also Military Appreciation Day the first Sunday of the month and Family Sundays on the third Sunday.
Details: Admission is always free for Hawaii teachers with a school ID. Click here for hours and more information.
Tip: Catch a world of art films for $5 at the Doris Duke Theater. And you can always dine at the tasty Pavilion Café, admission fee-free but reservations recommended.
Bishop Museum
Once in December, Once in January
Why You’ll Want to Go: Founded in 1889, Charles Reed Bishop built the halls to hold the artifacts and royal heirlooms of his wife, the last descendant of the Kamehameha family. Now it’s the largest museum in the state with the biggest collection of ancient Hawaiian artifacts, and a newly restored Hawaiian Hall (with air conditioning!). If you haven’t been there for awhile, check out the Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame which includes Duke Kahanamoku’s Olympic gold medals.
Where: 1525 Bernice St.
Free Admission Day: There are only two annually; Around the birthdays of founder Charles Reed Bishop (Jan. 25) and his wife Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop (Dec. 19). Check with the museum for exact dates, 808.847.3511.
Details: Admission is just $5 for Family Sundays, just be ready to dodge little ones. Next up is April 10.
Always Free
Hawaii State Art Museum – 250 S. Hotel St., 2nd floor
US Army Museum – 2161 Kalia Rd., Waikiki
USS Arizona Memorial – 1 Arizona Memorial Pl.
