Hawaii State Capitol - Honolulu, Hawaii

Mari K.

Great backdrop for protests. Open spaces promoting gatherings. Palm trees and plenty of space for hundreds who gathered with their frustrations, signs, and chants. Parking is an absolute challenge, as is lack of access to restrooms.

Dejan B.

Having visited over a half of US Capitols I can say this one is the most unusual one, and one of the most interesting.
It's located just behind the Iolani palace, which I strongly recommend visiting.
Unlike many neoclassic Capitols with the central dome all across the US, this one is a modern square building. The central inner space is open air, atrium like, while the offices and both houses are scattered around it on 5 floors.
Upon entering is an airport style security checkpoint, after which you can proceed.
I suggest first going up the top floor terrace from where you'll have great views over Honolulu. Then you can descend down via stairs and visit accessible areas depending if there's a session - we were let in the Governor's office

Martin Z.

Fantastic building. The open air courtyard just adds to the beauty of the space.

Karen J.

This is a different type and style of a Capital building. It’s open to the outside and above. You are able to walk on all floor levels and go into the Lieutenant Governor and Governor outer office areas. In the Lieutenant Governors, you’re able to go into the room where she holds her meetings or Press conferences. Everyone we encountered was polite and helpful. There is amazing artwork to see as you’re walking around.

Chris B.

The only open air capital in America and the only one you can see the ocean from!

The good: friendly people, neat artwork tucked in offices, you can access the observation platform on the top floor to get a view of the city and ocean.

The bad: no guided tour, no gift shop, Senate and House are not open unless in active session. Artwork is in offices, with very little out in the open for public viewing, so shy people won't see much of it.

The ugly: silly security setup so you have to go through check points more than any other capital we have been in (more than at the White House even!), parking fees went up again, it is now $2 per hour to park (max 4 hours).

Jason G.

I hate to write negative reviews like this. However the grounds are covered in homeless scumbag encampments, open air drug use, and trash. The grounds look ugly uncared for and just ugly. The people I interacted with were great, lovely people. Fun people and great fun. I asked can I see the House of Representatives? The security giggles and says no. This is the only state capitol that has not allowed people to see the rooms where their elected officials work. Old building dirty kind of run down. The bottom floor is full of broken computers and office furniture. Great people ugly terrible no tour no access to senate or house rooms, homeless scum.

Ravi K. S.

As a 1st timer in Honolulu, you will like the place, it’s history and it’s opulence. Good spot yo spend 2 hours of quality time.

Keep your lenses ready and clean as building and locale is very photogenic. Staff is very nice helpful and courteous. Walking tour add to your knowledge about the background and story about the place.

Stefan S.

I've visited some 20+ US state capitols. Experienced great tours, learned new stuff, met local people as well as tourists, and had a good time finding out more about the states and their people. Most capitols are happy to show you around some lesser-known corners, teach about democracy in their state, and might even have a gift shop on site.

In Honolulu, not only the house & senate chambers were locked (out of session) and empty floors the most you could get out of the self-guided tour. But also the employee in the only accessible "public access room" kicked me out midday during opening hours stating: "Excuse me, I'm in a therapy session." Disappointing.