Bishop Museum

BISHOP MUSEUM

THE STATE MUSEUM of NATURAL and CULTURAL HISTORY

Highlights & Collections

MUSEUM GALLERIES:

Gallery Highlights:

• Royal treasures ranging from finely worked feather capes and ornamental helments, to jewelry and weapons.
• Hawaiian musical instruments including the pahu (drum) and 'uli 'uli (feathered rattles)
• 50-foot sperm whale and Hawaiian grass hale (house).
• Pacific Island artifacts from Polynesia, Micronesia and Melanesia including ceremonial clothing, carved masks and canoe decorations.
• "Please-touch" natural and cultural history exhibits for children and families.
• Planetarium and Observatory: Daily shows using state-of-the-art audio, video, and computer-controlled automation. Current presentation: "Aloha Kilolani: 35 Years of Hawaiian Skies," a special retrospective program showcasing the Planetarium's 35-year history, from Polynesian exploration to man's first step on the moon.
• Shop Pacifica and Gallery Shop: Unique Hawaiian and Polynesian gifts and Bishop Museum Press publications.
• Woody's Restaurant: Snacks and meals in a tropical setting, daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m

• The planetarium, the only one in the state, presents shows daily. Friday and Saturday evenings are especially popular with star gazers, when the observatory is open for viewing the stars, moon, planets and constellations.
• Bishop Museum offers educational programs, regularly scheduled guided tours, Hawaiian music and dance shows, and Hawaiian craft demonstrations .
• The Museum's future is equally exciting. Its multi-million dollar master plan was recently unveiled that includes a new entrance building, providing additional exhibition space; a new planetarium; an outdoor science garden; and renovation of Hawaiian Hall.

One million one hundred eighty thousand Pacific and Hawaiian artifacts; 13,500,000 insect specimens; 6,000,000 marine and land shells; 490,000 plant specimens; 130,000 fish specimens; 85,000 bird and mammal specimens. The collections are vast and amazing.

But today Bishop Museum is more than a showcase for the Kamehameha family heirlooms, for which it was originally founded, and a repository of the world's largest collection of Hawaiian and Pacific artifacts and natural history specimens. With dynamic interactive exhibits and exciting programs, it provides visitors, now more than 500,000 a year, with discovery, wonderment and adventure.

Built of lava rock with interior surfaces of carved native koa wood, the elegant, three-story Hawaiian Hall stands as a preeminent example of 19th century exhibition design. The reign of the Hawaiian monarchy is displayed in full detail with royal treasures ranging from finely worked feather capes and drums, to ornamental helmets. Also on permanent display are artifacts depicting Hawaii's diverse cultures, a 50-foot sperm whale suspended from the ceiling, and a Hawaiian grass hale (house).

Exhibits & Special Events

• Cooke Rotunda; animated maps and push-button displays
• Hall of Discovery; changing exhibits/see daily listings
• Hawaiian Hall; Hawaiian Monarchy, Polynesian explorers, and the 50-foot sperm whale.
• Hall of Hawaiian Natural History; volcano formation and development of unique Hawaiian life forms
• Polynesian Hall; Peoples of the PaciSc: chiefs, "Bigmen" and Mariners.
• Kahili Room; changing exhibits/see daily listings
• Vestibule gallery; Folk arts and crafts from 9 am to 3 pm.
• Planetarium; Daily shows using state-of-the-art audio, video, and computer-controlled automation. Daily at 11 am and 2 pm, plus Fri. and Sat. evening shows at 7 pm. Observatory open 7:30 pm to 9 pm, Fri. and Sat. evenings, weather permitting.
• Library; books and journals related to Hawai'i and the Pacific. Tues.-Fri. 10 am to 3 pm (except Fridays before holiday weekends), Sat. 9 am to noon.
• Archives; art, moving images, photography, maps and manuscripts. Tues.-Fri. 10 am to 3 pm, and Sat. 9 am to noon.
• Shop Pacifica and Gallery Shop; open daily 9 am to 5 pm: gifts, books, videos, learning toys
• Woody's restaurant; snacks and meals in a tropical, airy setting, daily from 9 am to 4 pm.

CHANGING EXHIBITS:

http://www.bishopmuseum.org

Hours:

Admission & Directions:

• Adults $14.95 (to all standard exhibits, including planetarium)
• Youth (6-17) and seniors $11.95.
• Children undet 6 free.
• Kama'aina and military rates available.
• Prices and times subject to change. Call 847-3511 to confirm.

GETTING THERE:

• By bus: From Kuhio Avenue in Waikiki, take the No. 2 Bus. Ask the Driver to let you off at the stop closest to the Museum and walk two short blocks, following the signs.
• By car: Follow the map in your rental car drive guide.
• By taxi: Just tell the driver to take you to Bishop Museum.