January’s Pau Hana had the Concierge Association members joining the 300,000+ visitors a year that step foot in the Honolulu Museum of Art. HoMA, as locals call it, encompasses two museums each with their own restaurants and gift shops, a movie theater, rotating exhibits, an art Institute, and weekly tours of the Shangri La Estate.
On average, visitors to the Honolulu Museum spend about 1.5-2 hours exploring exhibits such as the largest Japanese print collection outside of Japan, Arts of Hawaii and period pieces that together add up to a 50,000 piece collection. And that is just the art! Independent, documentary and international films are shown daily in their Doris Duke theater and you should not miss the opportunity to enjoy the coffee bar, visit the gift shop which is constantly rotating its very unique a local inventory, or have a farm to table lunch in the Museum’s cafe.
Fresh Papaya & Seared Ahi salad
Salmon with Herb Chimichurri & Farro Salad
But if Contemporary Art is where your heart is, the Spalding House Museum in the Tantulus neighborhood is calling your name. This gem of a Museum allows visitors to explore not only the gallery but also their grounds and lovely gardens. One of the most hidden secrets is that their cafe offers $40 picnic lunch for two including a basket and a blanket so you can spread out under their ancient Banyan tree. Their gift shop even offers local-made, garden-inspired gifts to highlight the unique property!
Great news is that HoMA now offers a COMPLIMENTARY shuttle between Waikiki and both of their museums Tuesday through Sunday so visitors and locals alike can experience all they have to offer. Also new this year is the option to reserve the Honolulu Museum’s Cafe online and the focus on researching the history of the numerous pieces of Islamic art housed within the galleries of the Doris Duke Shangri La home near Diamond Head.
All said and done, the Honolulu Museum of Art and it’s sister properties have never been easier to visit! It is a must see and The Association could not been more thankful to have been invited.
