Have you ever wondered what life was like for the ancient Hawaiians? Does learning about the former chiefs and monarchs interest you? Are you fascinated by Hawaiian religious practices and culture? Then the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum is the place for you! Located at 1525 Bernice Street, Honolulu HI, the Bishop Museum is the largest in the state. With over 24 million historical specimens and four buildings full of knowledge, the Bishop Museum is a great attraction for tourists and locals alike.
We will focus our attention on the main building for the sake of conciseness, but even then, there is so much to tell. The first room on the right of the entrance hall is the J. M. Long Gallery. The latest exhibit in this room since the time of this writing is the Kū a Lanakila! Expressions of Sovereignty in Early Territorial Hawaiʻi, 1900-1920 exhibit. The room presents items from the politically and socially tense period after the overthrow of the Hawaiian kingdom. Things like felt versions of traditional feather capes and voting ribbons worn to promote political candidates are on display. The centerpiece of the room, however, is the forty-foot-long outrigger canoe made of valuable koa wood.
Now, the next room, The Hawaiian Hall. This three-story chamber holds a great deal of the museum’s treasures. The first floor called Kai Ākea shows some of the lore of ancient Hawaiian religion. Multiple statues of Hawaiian gods and spirits can be viewed. Visitors can see these totems in a range of sizes and materials such as stone or wood. Some are even adorned with dog teeth or human hair! Also to be seen are the following: Art panels depicting the Hawaiian creation myth, a prized feather cloak and matching helmet, and a life-size reproduction of a grass hut.
The second floor of the Hawaiian Hall, Wao Kanaka, showcases common items in the lives of the ancient Hawaiian people. A multitude of fishing hooks, nets, and baskets used to catch anything from shrimp to octopus are presented. Display cases show different types of cloth, how they were made, and their uses. There are also pieces of pottery made from gourds and cooking utensils like poi pounders. There are fun items like pieces of jewelry made from turtle shells or whale bone and sporting equipment such as specially shaped rocks, a sled, and a surfboard. Let’s not forget about the shark tooth weapons used by the warriors of long ago. This floor also tells about the significance of tattoos, haircuts, medicine, and the phases of the moon to Hawaiian culture.
On the third floor, called Wao Lani, there are cases and placards describing the overall history of the islands from the rule of chiefs like Kamehameha the Great till the time of American statehood. Powerful figures such as Queen Liliʻokolani, Queen Emma, The Kamehameha's Ruth Keʻelikōlani, Duke Kahanamoku, Prince Jonah Kalanianaʻole, Mary Pukui, and Bernice Bishop herself, are seen and discussed. Interesting belongings such royal attire, paintings, and other trinkets are on display.
The building has a few other chambers. The Picture Hall features paintings of prominent Hawaiian figures and historical writings. This room is also home to two wooden 3D picture boxes which can rotate through several black and white photos. The Pacific Hall tells of other Polynesian cultures such as those from Fiji, New Guinea, the Marquis Islands, and New Zealand. There is so much more to be seen at the museum such as the Richard T. Mamiya Science Adventure Center, The J. Watumull Planetarium, and a rotating gallery with completely new exhibits every so often.
The Bishop Museum is a fantastic attraction for visitors young and old. Hours can be lost by looking through the massive collection and playing with interactive exhibits. Hawaiian history is excellently preserved and shared at this wonderful museum.