Līhuʻe’s museum of Kauaʻi and Niʻihau history and culture, with galleries on the royal family, island heritage and hula, and work by local artisans. Its gift shop is known for lauhala hats, Niʻihau shell lei and local art.
Why we love it
It’s the best rainy-day stop on the island, and the best way to learn Kauaʻi’s own story, which isn’t the same as Oʻahu’s, before you tour it.
What to expect
Plan an hour or two in a compact downtown museum. Exhibits cover Kauaʻi’s royal family and island heritage, plus a hula exhibit (open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings). Docent tours run Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10 a.m. and on the first Saturday of the month, with no reservations needed. The museum also offers classes in weaving, feather and haku lei making, and hula. Don’t skip the gift shop, which is a real source of Niʻihau shell lei and handmade crafts.
Know before you go
- Hours
- Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Closed Sunday.
- Tours
- Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10 a.m., plus the first Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. No reservation needed.
- Hula exhibit
- Open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
- Gift shop
- Free to enter without museum admission.
- Contact
- (808) 245-6931.
Photo: Richard N Horne via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
