Shangri La

Shangri La is designed to support gatherings that demand deep thought, cultural nuance, and relational trust. Partners who gather here lead the content, drive the agenda, and shape the intended impact. In turn, the Doris Duke Foundation team provides curatorial guidance and strategic alignment, helping connect each gathering to broader efforts across the Foundation’s work.

Shangri La holds one of the most important collections of Islamic art in the United States, featuring nearly 4,500 objects from Spain, Morocco, Egypt, Syria, Iran, Central and South Asia, collected over six decades. Highlights include medieval Persian tilework, rare Ilkhanid ceramics, Syrian architectural interiors, and intricately carved Moroccan doors.

Whether addressing systemic inequities, advancing Indigenous leadership, or building new cross-sector coalitions, convenings and events at Shangri La are characterized by their intentionality and resonance. The site's scale—able to support up to 90 in an event configuration, but truly optimized for intimate groups of up to 25 participants—supports immersive engagement and sustained dialogue.

Shangri La also houses a diverse collection of artistic objects, and their origin stories serve as a critical window into complex and difficult conversations. Extraordinary and thoughtfully designed spaces foster creativity, contemplation, and collective visioning. Convenings may take place across the estate’s architectural marvels—like the Mughal Suite. Larger format events will benefit from the central courtyard, central lawn and ocean-facing lanais which extend into the gardens and the Hawaiian landscape.

Crucially, Shangri La is not just a global destination, is also firmly grounded in place.

The Foundation’s stewardship of Shangri La is guided by a commitment to honor the cultural sovereignty and lived experiences of Hawai‘i’s Indigenous communities. Convenings are encouraged to recognize and respond to the layered histories of colonization, land use, and cultural resilience present in the islands. This grounding adds a layer of accountability and depth that elevates each gathering beyond strategy toward something more transformative.