Doris Duke's house in Honolulu
 

I just recently found out about this little gem and would like more information. Are you allowed to tour the house? If so, times open; price; etc. It sounds very interesting so hope we can add it to things to do on our trip in July.

Check out the March 2004 issue of Smithsonian magazine.
A great article about the house and artwork.
It was turned into a museum in Nov. 2002. It says the tours have been sold out ever since, so not sure how or where you go about getting tickets.
Maybe do a google search for her or the foundation.
Let us hear what you come up with.
Good luck.

For information and tickets:
http://www.honoluluacademy.org/shangri/index.htm

Ooops...this is a better link:
http://www.honoluluacademy.org/shangri/tourinfo.htm

Thank you both for great information. I went into the web site you gave me Auntie Maria and printed up a bunch of info. Also e-mailed inquiring about tickets when we will be there.

Pharlap: You asked that I get back to you after my investigation so here goes.

It was probably the quickest response to an e-mail I ever got when planning a trip and included all the necessary details I needed.

Tours take place from Wednesday through Saturday and last 2-1/2 hours with 1-1/2 hours on site at Shangri La.

Tickets are $25.00, nonrefundable and tour times cannot be changed.

Tickets can be obtained by phone at 1-866-DUKETIX and select option #3, or by e-mail ([email protected]) giving name, address, phone #, # of tix desired, Amex, Visa or MC # with expiration date and full name of card holder.

Tickets must be ordered well in advance and are available for the time we will be there. Hope we will be able to take the tour and if we do will report back on our impressions.

Thanks again for steering me in the right direction Auntie Maria.

Thanks for the information.
You must give a trip report on your return. After reading the Smithsonian article, I was very intrested in going.
Not going to Hawaii, though, anytime soon.
Best wishes.

I am interested too, please post more info when you can! thanks.

There was a web site to check availablity and make instant reservations without any need for email exchanges when I toured it a year or so ago. Pretty interesting, especially for the setting. It wasn't fully restored, so should be getting more complete over time.

One minor annoyance you can turn into an advantage. Although shangrila's almost walking distance to Waikiki, you have to go miles in the opposite direction to catch the official van departure at HAA. You can use citybus 2, 13, or express B preferably early so you can tour the art academy as well. There is an Islamic room with a shangrila film.

Returning on the van, I asked to hop out midway when waiting for a light - probably against the rules but saved more backtracking. You have to be on the bus to enter or depart the shangrila area since the neighbors don't want us riffraff wandering around loose...