Art & Culture at Your Own Pace
Discover the Spirit of Mauna Kea — One Piece at a Time
At Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, every hallway, garden path, and open-air corridor tells a story. What began as Laurance S. Rockefeller’s personal collection of museum-quality artwork has grown into a curated experience that blends seamlessly with our natural and architectural surroundings.
Guests are invited to explore this legacy at their leisure through the Mauna Kea Self-Guided Art & Culture Tour — a journey through Polynesia, Asia, and Hawai‘i’s own rich history, all without ever leaving the hotel grounds.
An Open-Air Museum by Design
From centuries-old Hawaiian quilts to imposing stone tikis, from delicate Japanese screens to bold bronze deities from Thailand, our collection reflects a thoughtful dialogue between culture, place, and design. Rockefeller believed that art should live among us — not behind glass — and the Mauna Kea collection does just that.
The self-guided tour allows guests to engage with more than 1,600 pieces of art throughout the resort, each intentionally placed to complement the surrounding architecture and landscape.
HOW TO BEGIN YOUR TOUR
-
Start at the Front Desk
Pick up a complimentary Art & Culture Map or scan the QR code to access the digital tour experience on your phone. -
Follow the Curated Path
The map guides you through a selection of featured works — from the Kapa and Quilt Gallery to the Pacific Sculpture Garden, with interpretive notes at each location. -
Learn as You Go
Placards share the origin and cultural significance of each piece. Selected works also include audio narration from our cultural ambassador team. -
No Reservations Needed
Take the tour at your own pace, on your own time — whether over morning coffee or during a quiet sunset walk.
Highlights of the Tour
-
The Lobby Staircase Tiki Columns
Four massive carved figures that represent Polynesian deities, anchoring the spiritual and physical energy of the space. -
The Japanese Temple Bell
A gift of peace and mindfulness, cast in Kyoto in the 19th century and rung ceremoniously on special occasions. -
The Hawaiian Quilt Collection
Handmade by members of the Kawaiahaʻo Church in Honolulu, these quilts reflect stories of lineage, land, and love. -
Hahalualele
Our full-size replica of a double-hulled voyaging canoe — a symbol of Hawaiian exploration and ingenuity.
More Than Art — A Living Legacy
This tour is not just about admiring objects — it’s about entering a conversation with the past, and understanding the values that shape Hawai‘i’s present. As you wander, you’ll begin to feel what so many guests have: that Mauna Kea is not simply a hotel, but a home for history and a sanctuary for stories that continue to unfold.
We invite you to walk slowly, to look closely, and to leave with more than a memory — leave with a deeper understanding of the people and cultures that make this place so extraordinary.