Library Collection
The Hawaiian Historical Society library provides a research collection of printed and manuscript material for use by scholars, historians, history buffs, serious students, Society members, and others interested in the history of Hawai‘i and the Pacific Islands area. The library’s strength is on the history of Hawai‘i and the Pacific in the nineteenth century. It has fine collections of early voyages and travels, Hawaiian-language imprints, and newspapers published in Hawai‘i.
The book and pamphlet collection of more than 12,000 volumes and the manuscript collections of approximately 35 linear feet are cataloged by author, title, and subject according to the Dewey Decimal Classification system. Special library guides provide access to the newspaper, photograph, broadside, and map collections. The library materials are housed in a climate-controlled vault and protected by a security alarm system.
Consult the links below to explore various portions of our collections.
Library Reading Room
The Library Reading Room is open to the public by appointment only Thursday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please email hhsoffice@hawaiianhistory.org or call (808) 537-6271 to schedule your appointment today. Due to limited staffing, hours may change without notice.
All library materials are available for research use in the Reading Room. The materials do not circulate. The Society’s librarian is available for reference and research assistance.
Patrons can use their own typewriters, personal computers, or tape recorders if they are not disturbing to other library users.
Learn more about planning your visit to our library reading room.