Talk Story Saturdays encourages our communities to learn, share, and engage with each other about Hawaiian History. Dive deep into the Hawaiian Historical Society’s (HHS) stacks with the staff for a special insiders’ look into the rare and unique books and archival material not normally on public view. The hour-long tour will include: an introduction to the Hawaiian Historical Society, a curated exhibit, a chance to interact with historical material as well as an opportunity to learn how to research and access HHS’ resources. Guests are encouraged to ask questions and stay for reference hours until 2:00pm to conduct their own research.
Tours take place one Saturday each month from 10am to 11am, see schedule below. Tours reflect historical themes that embrace Hawaiʻi’s rich history and are conducted in the Hawaiian Historical Society’s Reading Room, Library & Archives.
From January 2025 to December 2025 through a generous grant, the Talk Story Programs are complimentary for all. There is no cost to attend. Seating is limited to 15 guests and registration will close once this threshold is met. In addition to the hour-long tour, each guest will receive a researcher’s toolkit to help with future research at the Hawaiian Historical Society. Any donations go towards preserving the collections and to continue this educational program.
Check out the schedule below for dates and themes. Click on the date to register for that particular event. Walk-ins welcome as space allows.
Read more about Tour Guidelines & Policies.
Saturday, November 22, 2025 at 10:00am or 2:00pm
Talk Story Saturdays: Lā Kūʻokoʻa 
Hawaiian Independence Day, Lā Kūʻokoʻa, is a national holiday celebrated annually on November 28 to commemorate the signing of the Anglo-Franco Proclamation of 1843, the official diplomatic recognition of the independence and sovereignty of the Hawaiian Kingdom by Great Britain and France. Celebrate with us and journey through historical material from manuscripts to oil paintings to learn about events and key historical figures that led to this official diplomatic recognition.
Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 10:00am or 2:00pm
Talk Story Saturdays: Archives Month 
October is Archives Month! Started in 2006 by the Society of American Archivists and supported by the Council of State Archivists and National Archives and Records Administration, Archives Month highlights the importance of preserving and making accessible valuable historical material to our communities.
Join us this month to learn more about Hawaiian Historical Society and the treasures in our care. Explore illustrations of the extinct ʻōʻō bird to a rare tortoise shell publication. View the “Carte de Danse” or dance cards for ʻIolani Palace balls and listen to stories of social gatherings hosted by our aliʻi. Celebrate with HHS and discover what’s in our collections.
Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 10:00am or 2:00pm
Talk Story Saturdays: Native Hawaiian History Month
In May 2025, Hawai’i passed Senate Bill 1051, officially designating September as Hawaiian History
Month. This legislative action aims to increase public awareness, celebrate the legacy of Queen Lili’uokalani, and acknowledge the profound contributions of the Native Hawaiian community. This month’s Talk Story, features a few significant Native Hawaiian figures and their contributions to our history. Explore the historical documents written by Henry ʻŌpūkahaʻia, David Malo, and Samuel Mānaiakalani Kamakau. Listen to the stories of our founding 
members and benefactors from our first patroness, Queen Liliʻuokalani, to Emma Nakuina, one of the first female members. View nupepa issues of Ke Aloha Aina and learn about its founders, Joseph Nāwahī and Emma ʻAʻima Aʻii Nāwahī. Join us to celebrate this monumental month and honor Hawaiian history.
Saturday, August 23, 2025 at 10:00am or 2:00pm
Talk Story Saturdays: Hawaiʻi Ma Kahaone
“We name the places that we want to go back to”–John Clark 
John Clark, a well-known community researcher, scholar, and author has spent his life documenting Hawaiʻi’s surf spots and shorelines. In 2016 he bequeathed to HHS a collection of images and publications notes from 1974 to 1989. This valuable material is associated with his first four publications, Beaches of: the Big Island; Kauaʻi and Niʻihau; Maui; and Oʻahu.
August’s theme, Hawaiʻi Ma Kahaone (Beaches of Hawaiʻi), will explore the Beaches of Hawaiʻi Photograph Collection from John Clark. We will feature a few historic beaches and shorelines and how this collection overall supports larger historical narratives. We will also discuss this year-long preservation project and how our communities can access these valuable resources. Join us as we journey through each island to learn about places that are significant to us, our communities, and history. 
Hawaiʻi Ma Kahaone (Beaches of Hawaiʻi) is HHS’ year-long preservation project from 2024-2025 supported by the Hawai‘i Council for the Humanities, through support from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Saturday, July 12, 2025 at 10:00am or 2:00pm
Talk Story Saturdays: Food & Feasting
July’s theme, Food & Feasting, will explore sustenance in Hawaiʻi. From ice cream to delicacies like the kolea bird, we will be sharing rare historic photographs, manuscripts, and memorabilia celebrating food and histories of gathering together from different communities across time in the islands. On display this month will be Princess Ruth Keʻelikōlani’s invitation to her lūʻau celebrating the completion of her home, Keōua Hale. Join us for an experience that will delight your taste buds. 
Saturday, June 21, 2025 at 10:00am or 2:00pm
Talk Story Saturdays: Firsts in Hawaiʻi
June’s theme, Firsts in Hawaiʻi, will highlight quirky and peculiar firsts in Hawaiian history that will entice even the most avid trivia extraordinaire. This program will explore some of the first appearances on the islands from medical textbooks and sewing machines to counterfeit money and a train robbery. Join us to celebrate a few of the first inventions, publications, and historic moments in Hawaiian history.
Saturday, May 10, 2025 at 10:00am or 2:00pm
Talk Story Saturdays: Mele Mei
May’s theme, Mele Mei (Mele May), will explore our historical material from sheet music to the first publication of musical staffs and notation in Hawaiʻi. 
Learn about He Mele Lāhui Hawaiʻi, one of Queen Liliʻuokalani’s composition. Listen to the story of Kaʻahumanu Society’s 1909 performance of Song of the Islands (photo above) and how this was apparently the first presentation with each island having a color. Join us as we celebrate Hawaiian Music!
Saturday, April 12. 2025 at 10:00am or 2:00pm
Talk Story Saturdays: Lāʻau Kamaʻāina
April’s theme, Lāʻau Kamaʻāina (native plants) will explore our historical material from broadsides of limu to colorful botanical illustrations. On display will be Isbella Sinclair’s Indigenous Flowers of the Hawaiian Islands, a rare publication of watercolors of ‘Ōhi’a Lehua, ʻĀkala, and 42 other indigenous plants. Join us as we celebrate April as Native Hawaiian Plant Month!
Although this event has passed, thanks to students Kailana Keen and Hiilani Chang from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Library & Information Science Program, we have an online exhibit. This online exhibit showcases the historical material that was a part of this Talk Story. Click here to be redirected to the online exhibit.