Battleship Missouri Memorial
Battleship Missouri Memorial at Pearl Harbor lets visitors tour the Mighty Mo, stand near the World War II surrender site and explore naval history.
Oahu Museum Guide
Oahu Museums
Oahu's museums bring together royal history, Pearl Harbor landmarks, art, aviation, surfing and local culture, giving visitors a deeper look at the island beyond its beaches, resorts and scenic drives.
Museum directory
Oahu Museums
Browse Oahu museums, including cultural exhibits, historic collections, local stories and educational places to visit around the island.
Bishop Museum
Bishop Museum in Honolulu is Hawaii's largest museum, known for Hawaiian cultural collections, Polynesian exhibits, natural history displays, a planetarium and family-friendly galleries.
Capitol Modern
Capitol Modern in downtown Honolulu is a free public art museum near Iolani Palace, with Hawaii-focused exhibitions, contemporary works and a historic government-district setting.
Hawaii Heritage Center
Hawaii Heritage Center in Honolulu's Chinatown shares local history, cultural exhibits and walking-tour context in one of Oahu's most historic districts.
Hawaii Plantation Village
Hawaii Plantation Village in Waipahu is an outdoor museum that shares Oahu plantation-era history through restored homes, cultural stories, gardens and guided village tours.
Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives
Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives in Honolulu preserves missionary-era homes, early printing history, Hawaiian-language archives and guided tours near downtown.
Honolulu Museum of Art
Honolulu Museum of Art is one of Oahu's main art museums, with Asian, European, American, Pacific and contemporary collections in a calm setting near downtown Honolulu.
Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii
Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii in Honolulu shares Japanese American history through Okage Sama De exhibits, cultural programs, a teahouse, dojo, gift shop and archives.
John Young Museum of Art
John Young Museum of Art at the University of Hawaii at Manoa features Asian, Pacific and African art in a compact Honolulu campus gallery.
King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center
King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center in downtown Honolulu shares Hawaii's legal history inside Aliiolani Hale, near Iolani Palace and the King Kamehameha Statue.
Lucoral Museum
Lucoral Museum in Waikiki shares gemstones, fossils, coral, shell art, Hawaiian mineral displays, jewelry pieces and a small family-run museum setting.
Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum & USS Bowfin
Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum and USS Bowfin at Pearl Harbor shares submarine history through the World War II-era USS Bowfin, waterfront exhibits, artifacts and memorials.
Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum on Ford Island shares military aviation history through historic hangars, aircraft, wartime exhibits and Pearl Harbor stories.
Queen Emma Summer Palace
Queen Emma Summer Palace is a historic Honolulu house museum in Nu'uanu Valley, preserving royal family furnishings, personal artifacts and stories from Hawaii's monarchy era.
Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design
Shangri La Museum shares Doris Duke's oceanfront Honolulu home and its remarkable Islamic art collection through reserved tours with shuttle access.
The Arts at Marks Garage
The Arts at Mark's Garage is a downtown Honolulu community arts space with rotating exhibits, performances, workshops and First Friday events near Chinatown.
U.S. Army Museum of Hawaii
The U.S. Army Museum of Hawaii is a Waikiki-area military history museum at Fort DeRussy, with exhibits on Hawaii's Army history, coastal defenses and World War II.
USS Arizona Memorial
USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor honors the sailors and Marines lost on December 7, 1941, with a boat program to the white memorial above the sunken battleship.
Washington Place
Washington Place in downtown Honolulu preserves Queen Liliuokalani's former home, governor history, royal-era stories and the civic setting near Iolani Palace.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best museums on Oahu?
Oahu museums include Bishop Museum, Honolulu Museum of Art, Pearl Harbor museums, Queen Emma Summer Palace and other history, art and cultural sites.
Which Oahu museum is best for Hawaiian history?
Bishop Museum is one of the top places on Oahu to learn about Hawaiian history, Pacific cultures, royal collections and natural science.
Are there museums at Pearl Harbor?
Yes. Pearl Harbor has several museums and memorial sites focused on World War II, naval history, aviation and submarine history.
Are Oahu museums good on rainy days?
Yes. Museums are a good option when the weather is rainy or when visitors want a slower cultural or historical activity.
Should visitors check museum hours on Oahu?
Yes. Hours, admission prices, tour availability and special exhibits can change, so check current details before visiting.