Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives

The basics

The Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives comprises three historic buildings, two of which are the oldest houses in Hawaii. These buildings were the home and workplaces for the first missionaries who came to the islands in 1820. Ka Hale Lā‘au, the oldest wood-frame house in the state, was a multi-family home; the Chamberlain House, built of coral blocks cut from reefs offshore, was also used as a home as well as a storehouse; and the Ka Hale Pa‘i functioned as the printing office. In recent years, a replica Hale Pili o Nā Mikanele (grass house) has been added to the grounds, and the site is also home to a library and a cemetery.

Guided and self-guided tours of the houses are available every day. Sightseeing tours of downtown Honolulu also often offer a glimpse as they pass.

Things to know before you go

• Guided house tours are limited to 10 people per group, so booking in advance is recommended.

• Special deep-dive tours focused on architecture and history must be reserved 24 hours before.

• Children under the age of 5 receive free admission.

How to get there

The Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives is at 553 S. King St. in downtown Honolulu. Several other notable attractions, including the King Kamehameha Statue and Iolani Palace, are within a 5-minute walking distance. Paid parking is available on the street and in nearby lots, and you can reach the site by public transport. Bus routes 2, 4, 13, 42, and Express B stop at the South Beretania St./Punchbowl St. stop, a 5-minute walk away.

When to get there

The site is open from Tuesday through Saturday from mid-morning until late afternoon. The cemetery is open to visitors seven days a week from mid-morning to late afternoon. Guided tours typically last around 60 minutes and are offered five times daily from Tuesday through Saturday, late morning until mid-afternoon. The site has a busy program of history-focused talks and other events: check the calendar at the website for details.

Shop

Visitors to the Hawaiian Mission Houses should set aside time to browse the on-site gift shop, which sells an extensive selection of gifts and souvenirs created by Hawaiian artists, including jewelry, ceramic bowls, and native wood products. There is also a good selection of books on Hawaiian culture, language, and history.