The library is home to many exceptional pieces of art. The artwork is listed by floor below. Click on the accompanying images to get a closer view.
Ground Floor
Rosarito, Lobby, by Government Documents & Maps
Acrylic on canvas by John Wisnosky as SAM Redspoon , circa 1995.Gift to the Library from Merium Wisnosky, 2012.
First Floor
Epitaph, Outside Main Entrance
Sculpture of black granite, stainless steel, and chromed bronze, by Harold Tovish, 1970.Commission: Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.
Makahiki Ho'okupu, Main Entrance
Charcoal and sanguine mural on masonite by Juliette May Fraser, 1939.Made for the 1939 San Francisco International Exposition, presented to the Library in 1977 by the Hawaii Visitors Bureau and Chamber of Commerce. Restored 1980 and 2000.
Thomas Hale Hamilton, University of Hawaii President, 1963-1968, Lobby, by Circulation Desk
Oil painting by Eve Incledon.Presented by the Class of 1968.
Defining Moment, Lobby
Mixed media in shadow box by Ross Togashi, 2005.Library purchase.
Plants and Birds of Hawai‘i, Lobby
Fresco on canec by Juliette May Fraser, 1976-1977.Gift of the Winona Chang Estate, 2016.
#10 Wallhanging, Microfilm Room
Wallhanging with chenille and pheasant feathers by Jean Williams.Loan: Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.
Swimmer's Quilt, Clic Lab
Quilt by Mari Sakamoto, 1996.Loan: Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.
Untitled - one of a group of nine felt tip pen drawings, CLIC Lab
Felt tip pen on paper by Ray Yoshida.Gift of Kohler Foundation [RY#722], 2011.
Rain's Reflections, CLIC Lab
Acrylic on canvas by John Wisnosky, 1980.Gift to the Library from Merium Wisnosky, 2011
Coexistence: Creature, CLIC Lab
Oil on canvas by Keichi Kimura, circa 1990.Gift of Kohler Foundation [#25 / #1233], 2011.
Untitled - Figure in Profile with Hand Outstretched, CLIC Lab
Oil on canvas by Ray Yoshida, 1972.Gift of Kohler Foundation [4903 / 937 / #722], 2011.
Vase & Flowers Purple, CLIC Lab
Acrylic on canvas by Mine Okubo, 1975.Gift to the Library, 2010.
Girl with a Hoop, CLIC Lab
Oil on canvas by John Young, circa 1975.Gift of Kristen E. Murphy, 2011.
Mom and Pop Remembered, CLIC Lab
Ink with watercolor by John Dapper, 1997.Gift of John Dapper, 2003.
Lihue Deco, CLIC Lab
Ink with watercolor by John Dapper, 1988.Gift of John Dapper, 2003.
Honolulu Downtown, CLIC Lab
Ink with watercolor by John Dapper, 1989.Gift of John Dapper, 2003.
Aloha, the Party: Hale Kipa, Study Area
Ink with watercolor by John Dapper, 1986.Gift of John Dapper, 2003.
Kauai Gothic, Study Area
Ink and watercolor by John Dapper, 1987.Gift of John Dapper, 2003.
1923 King Street, Study Area
Ink with watercolor by John Dapper, 1990.Gift of John Dapper, 2003.
King Street Collage, Study Area
Ink and watercolor by John Dapper, 1986.Gift of John Dapper, 2003.
Early Washington Place, Study Area
Ink with watercolor by John Dapper, 1989.Gift of John Dapper, 2003.
Old Moiliili, Study Area
Ink with watercolor by John Dapper, 1996.Gift of John Dapper, 2003.
Street scene, mixed plate, Lobby
Ink with watercolor by John Dapper, 1994.Gift of John Dapper, 2003.
Old Honolulu Brewery, Lobby
Ink with watercolor by John Dapper, 1986.Gift of John Dapper, 2003.
Kewalo Basin and old others, Lobby
Ink with watercolor by John Dapper, 1998.Gift of John Dapper, 2003.
Bridge, Lobby
Oil on linen by Keichi Kimura.Presented by the class of 1959.
Landscape, Lobby
Oil on linen by Keichi Kimura.Presented by the class of 1959.
Adam, Lobby
Bronze sculpture by Satoru Abe, 1954.Re-presented to the Library by the ASUH and the Class of 1954 on the occasion of the University Diamond Jubilee, 1982.
Kona Shore, Reception, Room 112
Oil on canvas by D. Howard Hitchco*ck, 1934.Gift of Leonora N. Bilger.
Rough Waters, Reception, Room 112
Oil painting by William Twigg-Smith, 1932.Presented by the Class of 1932.
Caulking the Boat, Reception, Room 112
Oil on canvas by George Morland, 1763-1804.Gift of Mr. & Mrs. James S. Porter.
First Floor Addition
Samoan Siapo, Lobby
Siapo mamanu with mulberry bark and organic dyes by Mary Pritchard, c. 1965.Gift to the Library from Joan Griffis, 2009.
Lava II, Lobby
Acrylic on canvas by Toshiko Takaezu, 1969.Loan: Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.
The Fire and Sea Took Oath Together, Lobby
Acrylic painting by Murray Turnbull, 1983.Gift of Murray Turnbull, 2002.
Alice Augusta Ball (1892-1916), Lobby
Conté crayon on paper by Jacqueline Moore Chun, 2000.Commissioned gift of Stan Ali.
Floods of the Yellow Gold of the Gorgeous Indolent, Sinking Sun, Ewa Wall
Acrylic painting by Murray Turnbull, 1983.Gift of Murray Turnbull, 2002.
Second Floor
Nana i ke Kumu (Look to the Source), Open Stairwell
Batik triptych by Yvonne Cheng, 1978.Loan: Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.
Flight to the Sun, Next to Open Stairwell
Batik painting by Bagong Kussudiardja, 1973.Gift of Mr. & Mrs. Will Lidsker, 1987.
The Pigeon, Next to Open Stairwell
Batik painting by Bagong Kussudiardja, 1972.Gift of Mr. & Mrs. Will Lidsker, 1987.
Kalawao Colors, Study Carrels
Color photograph by Jim Kastner, 1989.Library purchase.
Kualanui Sunset, Study Carrels
Color photograph by Steven Kastner, 1991.Library purchase.
Sunset at Pihea, Study Carrels
Color photograph by Steven Kastner, 1981.Library purchase.
Windward Dawn, Study Carrels
Color photograph by Steven Kastner, 1983.Library purchase.
Lanikai Dawn, Study Carrels
Color photograph by John Haak.Gift to the Library.
Second Floor Addition
Untitled, Bridge Gallery
Acrylic on canvas by John Wisnosky, 1984.Gift to the University from Wayne Morioka, 2008.
Bridge, Bridge, Bridge Gallery
Acrylic, paper on aluminum by Sidney T.K. Yee, 2002.Loan: Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.
Anuenue #2, Central Lobby
Weaving by Reiko Brandon, 1977.Loan: Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.
Third Floor
Public Space, Elevator Lobby
Charcoal and conte' drawing on paper by Don Dugal, 1992.Loan: Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.
Manoa, Elevator Lobby
Screenprint by Allyn Bromley, 1990.Loan: Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.
Indonesian Series: Wood Carvers, Study Carrels
Sepia toned, hand colored silver gelatin photograph by Penny Kaiman-Rayner, 1991.Loan: Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.
Indonesian Series: Banana Seller, Study Carrels
Sepia toned hand colored silver gelatin photograph by Penny Kaiman-Rayner, 1991.Loan: Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.
Indonesian Series: Man in Shop, Study Carrels
Sepia toned, hand colored silver gelatin photograph by Penny Kaiman-Rayner, 1991.Loan: Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.
Third Floor Addition
"A Lonesome Place Against the Sky" -- Edwin Markham, Lobby
Acrylic painting by Murray Turnbull, 1982.Gift of Murray Turnbull, 2002.
"The West was Getting out of Gold" -- Robert Frost, Lobby
Acrylic painting by Murray Turnbull, 1982-1989.Gift of Murray Turnbull, 2002.
Fourth Floor
Carp and Willow Branch, Asia Collection Lobby
Japanese brush painting on silk.Gift to the Library.
Seated Amida Buddha, Asia Collection Reading Room
15th century. Japan. Lacquered wood, gold over black. Stand (in four parts) of red and gold lacquer.Loan: Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.
Chinese Soldier, Asia Collection Reading Room
Replica of terra cotta funerary figure from the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang Di, Sian Shi, Shaanxi Sheng, completed 247-208 BC.Gift of Mr. Tanahashi, 1987.
The Bickford-Gallian Collection of Chinese Ceramics, Asia Collection Reading Room
Zhou to Song dynasty pieces (circa 1050 B. C. - 1400 A. D.)Gift of Donald D. Bickford and Earl Gallian, 1986.
Fourth Floor Addition
"The Polar Night...." -- Edith Stillwell, Lobby
Acrylic painting by Murray Turnbull, 1973.Gift of Murray Turnbull, 2002.
It is a Brittle Morning that Yields the Truth, Lobby
Acrylic painting by Murray Turnbull, 1973.Gift of Murray Turnbull, 2002.
Fifth Floor
Eleven Model Canoes, Hawaiian and Pacific Collections Reading Room & Hall
Documents: Evidence Found in a Library, Hall
Silver gelatin prints and mixed media by Ross Togashi, 2004.Library purchase.
Chain of Craters Road: Mapping a Family History, Hall
Mixed media by Ross Togashi, 2003.Loan: Ross Togashi.
Kahuna with Sacred Stone, Hall
Portable fresco demonstration for Helen Gilbert art class, Painting #1178, by Jean Charlot, 1969.Gift to the University Art Department, transferred to the Library, 2014.
Ulu o Kaiwiki, Hall
Quilt, by Helen Wong Smith, 2008.Library purchase.
Mestiza with Orange Fan, Jean Charlot Collection
Oil Painting by Jean Charlot, 1976.Loan: Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.
Palauan Village at Night, Hawaiian and Pacific Collections Reading Room
Watercolor on paper by Rechucher Charlie Gibbons, 1982.Gift of Dr. Vivian B. Halverson, 1998.
First Child Ceremony, Hawaiian and Pacific Collections Reading Room
Ink and watercolor on paper by Rechucher Charlie Gibbons, 1982.Gift of Dr. Vivian B. Halverson, 1998.
Agee's House, Hawaiian and Pacific Collections Reading Room
Watercolor by Rosemary Hilbery, 1984.
The Unfaithful Wife of the Shark Fisherman, Hawaiian and Pacific Collections Reading Room
Ukall wood story board from Belau by Saharias Omengebar, 1980.Long-term loan from Dr. Donald H. Rubinstein.
Marquesan Ceremonial War Club, Hawaiian and Pacific Collections Reading Room
Gift to the University.
Janet Bell, Hawaiian Curator 1936-1970, Hawaiian and Pacific Collections Reading Room
Oil painting from a photograph.Anonymous gift, September 1990.
Kei Viti Series (4 of 5 from the portfolio), Hawaiian and Pacific Collections Reading Room
Lithographs by Jean Charlot, 1976-1977.Gift of Tobey C. Moss Gallery, 2019.
