The Contemporary Museum, Oahu

In the café, visitors can sit indoors in a gallery-like atmosphere amid changing displays of art or outdoors in a garden-like setting. The café is open six days a week and is ideal for lunch, coffee and dessert.

The museum shop features many one-of-a-kind gifts, such as glass chicken bowls, desktop dartboards and heart-shaped water bottles.

The J. Russell and Charlotte McLean Cades Library features a collection of information on contemporary art and artists. The library houses 800 volumes of surveys, monographs, catalogues, periodicals and artist files. Many of the books are circulating and available for one-month checkout periods.

Another highlight of The Contemporary Museum is the gardens, which encompass 3.5 acres. These sculpture and meditation gardens are called Nu‘umealani (heavenly terrace), and they are so beautiful that the museum won the American Society of Landscape Architects Millennium Award for preserving and maintaining them.

The gardens were completed between 1928 and 1941 by Reverend K.H. Inagaki, a local minister with a passion for landscape architecture. Designed to provide a place to retreat, meditate and experience the harmony of nature, the gardens include a sprawling lawn, a tropical terraced garden, walking paths and places to sit. They are open to the public during museum hours. Call 526-1322 x 10 in advance to reserve a wheelchair and arrange for special access.

The Contemporary Museum in Bullet Points

• Only museum in Hawaii that’s devoted exclusively to contemporary art featuring displays from 1940 to the present
• Located on Oahu in the Honolulu neighborhood Makiki (and another gallery is in downtown Honolulu)
• Also has a café, museum shop and library
• Another highlight is the sculpture and meditation gardens

The Contemporary Museum Hours (Makiki Location):
Tuesday – Saturday: 10 am – 4 pm
Sunday: 12 pm – 4 pm

Downtown Honolulu Location Gallery Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 8:30 am - 4 pm
Friday: 8:30 am - 6 pm

The Contemporary Café Hours:
Tuesday - Saturday: 11:30 am - 2:30 pm
Sunday: 12 pm - 2:30 pm

The Contemporary Museum Cades Library Hours:
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm or by appointment

Closed Mondays & major holidays:
New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day

Admission:
Adults $5
Seniors and Students with valid ID $3
Free for children 12 and under
Free to the public on the third Thursday of each month
Free admission to The Contemporary Museum Café & The Museum Shop

Bag Check:
For safety precautions, personal belongings that are larger than 15" diagonally across from one bottom corner to the opposite top corner must be checked it in at the front desk before entering the galleries.

Contact Info:
Phone: (808) 526-1322
Fax (808) 536-5973

Driving Directions to The Contemporary Museum / Location

Drive mauka (toward the mountains) along Punahou Street. Turn left on Nehoa Street then a right on Makiki Street. When the road forks, take the left onto Makiki Heights Drive and follow the road up the hill (about a mile). You will see the museum’s sign on the right and as you turn the corner, the museum entrance will be on your right.

The Contemporary Museum Main Location (Makiki):
2411 Makiki Heights Drive, Honolulu, HI 96822

The Contemporary Museum at First Hawaiian Center (downtown Honolulu):
999 Bishop Street, Honolulu, HI 96813   

The Contemporary Museum Map (top)

Honolulu Weather (top)

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The Contemporary Museum Photos (click to enlarge) (top)

The Contemporary Museum Reviews and Comments (top)

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