Guide to the Museums in Oahu

In Oahu, there are a few museums including Japanese Cultural Center, Judiciary History Center, Contemporary Museum, Hale’iwa Surf Museum, Hawaii Maritime Center, Hawaii Plantation Village and Mission House Museum. Japanese Cultural Center exhibits artifacts to showcase the life of the Japanese people in Hawaii. You can view artifacts that depict the life of the Japanese people from the day they immigrate to Hawaii until the present day.

The Judiciary History Center offers artifacts about the court system from the time of Kapu to today. It is situated on the first floor of the Ali’olani Hale. King Kamehameha V who originally planned the site as his palace gives the name. Later, the place was converted to the Legislature Court. Today, the Supreme Court of the Oahu State is housed in this building. Judiciary History Center is one of the oldest buildings in Hawaii. Self-guided tour is available at the historic enter.

The Contemporary Museum can be found inside the terraced garden on the hills. It offers exhibitions on the art objects that exist in the last 4 decades. At the Milton Cades Pavilion, you can observe the artwork called L’Enfant et les Sortileges by David Hockney. There is a garden near the museum. From the garden, you can watch the Honolulu scenery. It is also possible to watch the scenery of Diamond Head from the terraced garden. 

Hale’iwa Surf Museum offers a collection of surf souvenirs. Most of the souvenirs are from the 1960s. You can find a number of memorabilia at the museum including surfboards, pictures and etc. 

Hawaii Maritime Center offers exhibition of artifacts that tell the lives of ancient Hawaiians.  The ancient Hawaiians arrive and settle at the place about 1500 years ago. During that time, they catch fishes and whales to earn a living. While there, you can observe the remains of a humpback whale that was stranded on the shore. In addition, you can explore the remains of the Pacific Blue Marlin that weight more than 1805 pounds. The Pacific Blue marlin was caught at the store of the Makaha.  At the maritime center, you can see a replica of the Polynesian canoe.

Hawaii Plantation Village tells the chronicle of how 400,000 people from different countries are migrated to work at the sugar plantations. At the Hawaiian Plantation, you can explore more than 30 replica houses. Each of the replica house and buildings feature the lifestyle of different ethnic group. The plantation offers a glimpse into the lives of the workers who immigrated to Hawaii in between the period of 1900 to 1930. You can also visit the plantation steam locomotive train. 

Mission House Museum was constructed in the year of 1831. The museums include three of the buildings that are originally constructed by the missionaries. The missionaries have a lot of influences on the culture of the Hawaiian people. Visitors can visit the Hal La’au building. The Hal La’au building was used as a home for the missionaries The Ka Hale Pa’I was used as a printing house to produce books.