Four (4) - Bishop Museum One Day Passes

Bishop Museum was founded in 1889 by Charles Reed Bishop in honor of his late wife, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last descendant of the royal Kamehameha family. The Museum was established to house  the extensive collection of Hawaiian artifacts and royal family heirlooms of the Princess, and has expanded to include millions of artifacts, documents and photographs about Hawai‘i and other Pacific island cultures.

Mr. Bishop built the magnificent Polynesian and Hawaiian Halls on the grounds of the original Kamehameha Schools for Boys. The Museum and School shared the KapaÂÂA?lama campus until 1940 when a new larger school complex was opened nearby on KapaÂÂA?lama Heights.

Today, Bishop Museum is the largest museum in the state and the premier natural and cultural history institution in the Pacific, recognized throughout the world for its cultural collections, research projects, consulting services and public educational programs. It also has one of the largest natural history specimen collections in the world. Serving and representing the interests of Native Hawaiians is a primary purpose of the Museum.

The Museum also operates the Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden on the island of Hawai‘i.

Textured Lives: Japanese Immigrant Clothing from the Plantations of Hawai‘i

The exhibit features items carefully collected and researched by scholar and author Barbara Kawakami. The exhibition will run from August 18 through October 15, 2012 on first floor of Castle Memorial Building.

Through a colorful display of intricately woven and hand painted kimono and pre-war plantation clothing, rare oral histories, photographs, and moving images, this exhibition gives voice to the unknown stories embodied in the textiles and sheds light on the innumerable hardships of the early issei of Hawai‘i.

Join us opening day, Saturday August 18th for a day filled with special activities, workshops and performances.

MaÂÂA?nu‘unu‘u ka Welolani - The Chiefly Cultures of Polynesia

September 17, 2011 - Summer 2013

The exhibit focuses on symbols of rank, including whale ivory adornments and feathered cloaks. Also featured are utilitarian objects ranging from stone adzes to bone and shell fishhooks.

These objects, too, were significant in Polynesian societies for their use in sustaining thriving populations, and coupled with the objects of the chiefs, characterize Polynesian material culture.

Right: Detail of the carved features of a long club from Rapa Nui. Photo By David Franzen

Mahalo to our generous sponsors:

The Native Hawaiian Culture and Arts Program (NHCAP)

Tradition and Transition: Stories of Hawai‘i Immigrants

Fall 2011 - Summer 2013

Castle Hall’s second floor gallery  features special treasured stories in focus cases, a timeline of Hawaiian history, video stations, and significant artifacts and document to relay the history of Japanese in Hawai‘i.

Inspiring stories abound when the discussion centers on the challenges faced by immigrants coming to a new homeland. Tradition and Transition, Stories of Hawai‘i Immigrants presents these and celebrates the diversity brought by all ethnic groups who contribute to the economic strength and cultural multiplicity of Hawai‘i.

Tradition and Transition, Stories of Hawai‘i's Immigrants celebrates the stories of challenge and victory, tales of hardship matched with those of success. It is a story that focuses on the strength of human spirit and the power of change.

For children, a PaÂÂA?‘ani Place is for kids to learn about multi-ethnic playthings and pastimes.

The hallway adjacent to the main exhibition gallery is Ho‘olaulea Hall, filled with large photomurals, hanging celebratory items, and smaller exhibit cases that focus on multiethnic celebrations.

At the end of the Ho‘olaulea Hall, will be Ho‘okipa Parlor, a recreation of the interior of a plantation home living room, welcoming visitors who wish to sit a while and browse books on various local ethnic traditions or watch some old news reels of plantation-era Hawai‘i.

Tradition and Transition: Stories of Hawai‘i's Immigrants is funded by  generous gifts from the Atsuhiko & Ina Goodwin Tateuchi Foundation and Hawai‘i Imin Shiryo Hozon Kai.

Hawaiian Hall

The three floors of Hawaiian Hall  take visitors on a  journey through  the different realms of Hawai‘i. 

The first floor is the realm of Kai akea which represents the   Hawaiian gods, legends, beliefs, and the world of pre-contact Hawai‘i. 

The   second floor, Wao Kanaka,  represents the realm where people live and work; focusing on the  importance of the land and nature in daily life. 

The third floor, Wao Lani, is the realm inhabited by the gods; here, visitors will learn about   the ali‘i and key moments in Hawaiian history.

Polynesian Hall - Opening Summer 2013

Polynesian hall is a gallery of two floors representing the peoples of Pacific cultures across Polynesia, Micronesia and Melanesia.

Explore the Polynesian origins of our islands' people in these fascinating artifacts of ritual, daily life, warfare, religion, clothing, music and dance.

Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kahili Room

The Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike KaÂÂA?hili Room honors  cherished ali‘i and displays the precious KaÂÂA?hili (feather standards) associated with them.

On display here are portraits of the Hawaiian Monarchy and some of their personal effects.

Richard T. Mamiya Science Adventure Center

This 16,500 square-foot facility adds a new dimension to the Museum by providing exhibits that are immersive and interactive – with a strong emphasis on better understanding Hawai‘i’s environment.

Visitors  become active participants in exploring areas of science in which Hawai‘i has gained      international recognition for cutting edge research – including volcanology, oceanography, and biodiversity.

Hawai‘i Sports Hall of Fame

The Hawai‘i Sports Hall of Fame records for all time, with pictures and memorabilia, the outstanding accomplishments of Hawai‘i's sports history.

The primary goal of this exhibit is to encourage our youth to emulate these outstanding athletes for their devotion, dedication, pursuit of athletic excellence and steadfast character.

For more information about the Bishop Museum visit: http://www.bishopmuseum.org/