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Bishop Museum, a "must visit" place for visitors and local residents

Hawaiian Hall Complex - Hawaii Bishop Museum - Bishop Museum was founded in 1889 by Charles Reed Bishop as a memorial to his wife, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last direct descendant of King Kamehameha I. The original collection of the museum was based solely on royal family heirlooms but has grown to the point that it is currently the world's largest collection of Hawaiian and Pacific artifacts and natural history specimens.

Bishop Museum's thorough information of their galleries is posted on their website www.bishopmuseum.org. The website includes details of permanent and periodic exhibits, upcoming events and a daily schedule. I thought that my time would be best spent writing about some of the impressions that I was left with during my recent visit.

Polynesian Display

Kahili Room entrance

First of all, I was totally amazed at the wealth and abundance of knowledge that exists within the Bishop Museum estate. Not only can you see history in the making as you gaze at each building's architecture but you are overwhelmed by the detailed effort put in by the Museum's curators to share and preserve each display. It had been too long since my last visit to the Museum and I was a bit ashamed that I had not taken better advantage of this treasure more often and much earlier. Since working with the Honolulu Festival Foundation I have come to have a deeper appreciation and respect for the cultures and traditions of all people and countries. Having been raised in multiple cultures myself I am amazed to see the differences as well as the similarities in each of them.

The Polynesian Hall Exhibit showcasing the Pacific cultures across Polynesia, Micronesia and Melanesia reemphasizes this. This display consists of artifacts of rituals, daily life, warfare, religion, clothing, music and dance of each of the groups of Pacific Islanders. The need to survive is the basis for many of these artifacts. The influence of environment, climate, origin and uniqueness of the people are revealed in each display. I encourage those of you who are interested in history, geography and social sciences to take the time to visit the Polynesian Hall.

Assembling the Kahili

Gallery

Kahili Room

The Hawaiian Hall is currently under renovation. My visit to the Hall makes me realize that Honolulu Festival's programs, sharing the cultures and traditions of the Pacific Rim with our local community and visitors, are quite an accomplishment. I am proud of what our organization and volunteers do.

I was also impressed at how user friendly Bishop Museum is for family and children. It is a lovely place for families and friends to spend an entire day or an afternoon with their keiki in tow. The place is not stuffy and can be a form of entertainment. Children are curious about everything and they love to touch. The exhibits answer many questions about Hawaii, its people, science and nature. And the hands-on displays encourage the children to learn through interaction. The displays give parents and children an opportunity to spend time together and learn about many things.

Castle Memorial Building

First Whale

Whale Exhibit

Richard T. Mamiya Science Adventure Center

The Richard T. Mamiya Science Adventure Center is a place where families can explore our volcanoes, the ocean, our plants, insects and animals. The children enjoy the Volcano and Lava Melting Demo. The Wave Maker, Treehouse and Plants and Animals Displays are also part of this Center.

Lava Demo

Erupt the Volcano

Enter the Volcano

Top of Volcano

Treehouse

Nature Display

Plants, Insects and Animals

Jhamandas Watumull Planetarium

I would encourage the parents and children to also spend some time in the Jhamandas Watumull Planetarium. We are all fascinated by the Earth, the planets and the solar system. The Planetarium gives us an opportunity to learn more about our skies, the importance of Hawaii's Mauna Kea in the exploration of our universe, the techniques used by Hawaii's modern explorers to

Science on a Sphere

navigate their way to Tahiti by using the stars and demonstrations of "Science on a Sphere", a dramatic visualization of our world and the universe. You will be amazed at all the information that you can get right at your finger tips about science, math and geography. The Bishop Museum is such an important tool in opening the minds of our youth. It would be a waste not to use and benefit from it.

There is so much more at the Bishop Museum. I suggest that instead of reading about it in this article, that you hurry on down to Kalihi and absorb it all. Trust me, it is worth every penny. And don't forget to stop by the Shop Pacifica and Pae 'Aina Cafe for your gifts and a bite to eat.

Making lauhala rose

Music of Hawaii

Dance of Hawaii

[ Bishop Museum ]
1889 Bernice Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96817
Tel.: (808) 847-3511
Official site: www.bishopmuseum.org

Hours of Operation:
every day 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
(except Christmas Day)

Admission:
$15.95 for adults, $12.95 for children 4-12 years, free for children under 4. Discounts available for kama'aina (local residents) and military.

Mission: To record, preserve and tell the stories of Hawai'i and the Pacific, inspiring our guests to embrace and experience our natural and cultural world.

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