Hawaii State Capitol
Hawaii State Capitol
4
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Plan your visit
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Downtown Honolulu
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
1,463 within 5 kms
Attractions
399 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
164 reviews
Excellent
46
Very good
67
Average
47
Poor
4
Terrible
0
CasandraTP
Sydney, Australia3,983 contributions
Jul 2024 • Solo
I stumbled across this building whilst visiting some of Honolulu’s attractions. At the time of writing it was under renovations so the water feature can’t be seen but it is still an impressive building. It has a large opening in the middle and various floors you can visit. There is the liberty bell out one entrance and the other a statue of Queen Liliuokalani. There are self guided tours during the week. Worth popping in if you are in the area.
Written 24 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AMC8380
Mandan, ND237 contributions
Jan 2013 • Couples
We knew there was self-guide tour info somewhere but didn't really know where to start. Finally we noticed an office listing near the elevator, found the appropriate room number and headed up the stairs. We found the office, with its door shut, went on in (it felt like we were trespassing the whole time!!), and were given the rundown on what to see and some other great info. We also were given a pin of the state seal. We were able to visit the governor's ceremonial office and peek in both chambers. Everyone was very friendly, it would just be nice if there were signs posted regarding the tour info as we were really close to just skipping it, but glad we didn't. It was really interesting, especially finding out about all the symbolism in the building.
Written 11 March 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Edward L
Sunnyvale, CA1,113 contributions
If you are in the area looking at other key sights (Iolani Palace, State Art Museum), you should definitely visit this impressive and beautiful capital building. Go to room 415 ("constituent affairs") and pick up a free self guided tour of the building and key areas. They let you visit the legislative cheers and Governor and Lt. Governors front office. The Governors office was so impressive with all the Kia wood paneling. If they wanted to convey a feeling of openness and friendliness, this building and the staff certainly do it right. For a brief hour, this is a fun (and free) thing to do.
Written 30 September 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bwco
New Jersey1,746 contributions
Sept 2011 • Couples
Hawaii could have built their capitol building in a hundred different ways. All of which would have been fitting and appropriate for the state. When the building was built in 1969, they settled on a Hawaiian version of the then popular mid century style. One of the most noticeable items in the building are the columns on the outside. They could have put plain cement columns there and that would have worked. Instead, the columns were capped with palm trees; giving a distinctly Hawaiian touch to the mid century style of this building.
When you walk into the building, the first floor is open. You can see the state senate on one side and the state house of representatives on the other. There is a large mural on the floor with a map of the islands on it. This floor gives an appearance of openness, both visually and symbolically.
This is one of the more beautiful capitol buildings in the country.
When you walk into the building, the first floor is open. You can see the state senate on one side and the state house of representatives on the other. There is a large mural on the floor with a map of the islands on it. This floor gives an appearance of openness, both visually and symbolically.
This is one of the more beautiful capitol buildings in the country.
Written 27 September 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tripsterchick
Victoria, BC1,488 contributions
Dec 2014 • Couples
This is definitely not your typical state capitol. For a start, there’s no dome; instead, the central courtyard is open to the sky. Then there are the architectural elements evoking natural features of Hawaii, such as pillars that flare at the top like royal palm trees, and the walls of the legislative chambers shaped like volcanic cones. And there are plenty of reminders of the Pacific Ocean, from reflecting pools surrounding the capitol to a circular mosaic in the courtyard that represents the changing colours of the sea. See if you can spot the one red tile among the 599,999 in various shades of blue.
Public tours were not available during our visit as the capitol was being prepared for the inauguration of the new governor. Nonetheless, we were able to see a fair amount of the building, including the governor’s office and the non-partisan public access room, established to help citizens research legislative issues, offer testimony and otherwise take part in the democratic process.
Guided tours are normally available Tuesday through Friday at 1 p.m., on a first come, first served basis (20 people maximum). Show up at room 415 (fourth floor) ten minutes beforehand. Self-guided tours are available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. You can get a tour pamphlet and other information at room 415.
Public tours were not available during our visit as the capitol was being prepared for the inauguration of the new governor. Nonetheless, we were able to see a fair amount of the building, including the governor’s office and the non-partisan public access room, established to help citizens research legislative issues, offer testimony and otherwise take part in the democratic process.
Guided tours are normally available Tuesday through Friday at 1 p.m., on a first come, first served basis (20 people maximum). Show up at room 415 (fourth floor) ten minutes beforehand. Self-guided tours are available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. You can get a tour pamphlet and other information at room 415.
Written 19 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris
8 contributions
Nov 2019
We were welcomed warmly and questions answered with smiles. We even had our pictures taken by a person in the Governor's signing room. Building is beautiful. Loved the design.
Written 9 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patty Z
Sacramento, CA229 contributions
Sept 2019
The architecture of the Capitol is one of a kind. The ground floor is an open-air space allowing sun, wind, and rain to enter, and is surrounded by reflecting pools. The central atrium opens to the sky, and the doors to offices and chambers open onto outdoor corridors on the levels above. It is well worth a walk through the ground floor to view this beautiful building.
Written 8 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shaun O
Newmarket, NH9 contributions
Nov 2018 • Couples
We just returned from Honolulu which we went to visit the last U.S. State Capital Building on our list. ( We have now visited all 50 State Capital Buildings) Unfortunately
we were very disappointed with this Capital Building, to say the least ! It is not well maintained and there is Nothing Special about the it in any physical way. However, we have to say that the People who work there are just about as Friendly as any of them.
One strange thing: I asked three different people who work there "Why did you Folks Suspend Tours of the Capital?" The answer floored us. The reason was that the Guide who gave the Tours died a few months ago. WHAT?? The answer was why I asked several people, because we had trouble believing it.
we were very disappointed with this Capital Building, to say the least ! It is not well maintained and there is Nothing Special about the it in any physical way. However, we have to say that the People who work there are just about as Friendly as any of them.
One strange thing: I asked three different people who work there "Why did you Folks Suspend Tours of the Capital?" The answer floored us. The reason was that the Guide who gave the Tours died a few months ago. WHAT?? The answer was why I asked several people, because we had trouble believing it.
Written 9 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TeamWard
Nottingham, UK5,690 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
On a walk from the Lolani palace which is nearby spend a few minutes looking around this important building and locate the Father Damian statue, then cross the road to see the Eternal Flame. These are all places to visit for a bit of Hawaiian cultural significance and are free.
Written 8 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DrD0ugH
Conway, AR526 contributions
You will want to stop here and take several pictures. Our guide told us the story of the design so get that while you are there. I don't think I've ever seen another building like this. Truly Hawaiian landmark.
Written 3 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can I take a tour of the capitol?
Written 23 January 2023
Showing results 1-1 of 1
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing