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Hawaiian Art & History at Queen Kapiʻolani
At Queen Kapiʻolani Hotel, history and art come together to celebrate Hawaiʻi’s rich heritage and creative spirit. Throughout the reception area and corridors, vintage posters, photographs, and memorabilia transport guests back to Waikīkī’s Golden Age, offering a glimpse into its storied past. On the second floor, the Royal Art Gallery honors Hawaiian royalty with original portraits, including a tribute to Queen Kapiʻolani herself. In the lobby, a new generation of local artists—Mike Field, Nick Kuchar, and Katie Borden—bring modern Hawaiʻi to life with their vibrant, island-inspired works. Every corner of the hotel reflects the essence of Waikīkī, blending nostalgia with contemporary artistry in a way that feels both timeless and inspiring.
A FRESH PERSPECTIVEKATIE BORDEN
Katie Borden has been drawing since childhood and originally came to Hawaiʻi for a summer—but stayed for 14 years. "Hopefully this mural will brighten your day!”
ABOUT THE ARTIST
KATIE BORDENISLAND STORIES IN COLORMIKE FIELD
Growing up in Waikīkī, Mike Field spent his days sailing, paddling, and exploring the waters beyond the reefs. “I wanted my mural to tell a story that reflects the timeless hospitality of Waikīkī.”
ABOUT THE ARTIST
MIKE FIELDVINTAGE VIBES, MODERN TOUCHNick Kuchar
Nick Kuchar finds inspiration in the golden days of surfing and beach culture. “I wanted to capture my favorite things in Waikīkī—happy hour with a Diamond Head view, paddling out at Queen’s, and live music at the Shell.”
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Nick KucharHistory Royal Legacy
Queen Kapiolani was Hawaii’s Queen from 1874 to 1891 and was married to King Kalakaua. She loved art, composed her own music, played polo, surfed, and relished a great party (even traveling to London to attend Queen Victoria’s Jubilee). She loved her people and honored them by establishing the Kapiolani Hospital for Women as one of her great gifts to Hawaii.
Click here to learn more about the artworks of the Royal Gallery
History THE GOLDEN AGE
Queen Kapiolani Hotel was a hot spot during the Golden Age of Waikiki – locals and guests gathered here for brunch, dinner, weddings and graduations; its location at the beach was perfect for kama’aina surfing; and its art collection and music programming rivaled that of any hotel in Honolulu. Enjoy up close posters, photographs and memorabilia from the period that inspired the QK lifestyle.
Visit these Golden Age treasures throughout the hotel.
The Legacy ofQueen Kapi'olani
QK Life is about the Hotel’s legacy and culture. The legacy starts with Queen Kapiolani herself. Married to King Kalakaua, she was Hawaii’s Queen from 1874 to 1891, loved art and composed her own music, played polo, surfed, and relished a great party, (even travelling to London to attend Queen Victoria’s Jubilee). She loved her people, and honored her people by establishing Kapiolani Hospital for Women as one of her great gifts to Hawaii.
In 1967, the Hotel was built on royal lands overlooking Kapiolani Park, the State’s greatest park which is named after the Queen herself; for decades the Hotel was the favored place where locals and guests gathered for brunch, dinner, weddings and graduations; its location at the beach was perfect for kama’aina surfing; and its art collection and music programming rivaled that of any hotel in Honolulu.
As the Hotel completes its restoration, it once again brings the beach, art and music into its hospitality culture.
