4/21/2014 - Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum

We spent the majority of the day exploring the Bishop Museum.  Bernice Bishop was part of the royalty and in line to be Queen of Hawaii but she married a New York businessman, Charles Bishop, against the wishes of her parents. She was offered the throne by King Kamehameha V in 1872, but she didn't want it. She and her husband were philanthropists and her estate upon her death consisted of 9% of the Hawaiian Islands. Her husband built the museum in her honor.

From the website: "Bishop Museum is the premier place to experience the history, arts and culture of the Hawaiian people. We are recognized throughout the world for our scientific research, educational programs, and extensive collections which give voice to the stories of Hawai‘i and the broader Pacific."

The first area we visited was the Kahili Room where the stories and history of the Hawaiian monarchy were told. Kahili are the feather standards of the chiefly ranks.

King Kamehameha I

King Kamehameha II

Queen Liliʻuokalani - Last Monarch

Bernice Pauahi Bishop

The Bishops (BPBM Archives)

Feather Kahili

The Hawaiian Hall Gallery consists of three floors of Hawaiian Artifacts each focusing on a significant realm.

Floor 1 focuses on the wide expanse of the sea. Legends, beliefs and the world of pre-contact Hawaii.

Floor 2 is the realm of man where people lived, worked and played.

Fishing Hooks

Floor 3 is the heavenly realm with focus on the Hawaiian chiefs through the overthrow of the Hawaiian nation to the 20th century.

Royal Robes

Feather helmets and shields

The Pacific Hall focuses on the origins and migration of Pacific peoples through archaeology, oral traditions and linguistics.

Migration Vessels

Oceania Gods