Bishop Museum Honors Founder On January 25th

Free Admission for Kama‘āina and Military

Honolulu, HI - Bishop Museum is offering FREE admission to kama‘āina and military guests on Monday, January 25, 2010, in celebration of its founder Charles Reed Bishop.  Valid photo identification is required.  Regular admission applies for all other visitors. 

Mr. Bishop was born in 1822 in Glens Falls, New York.  At the age of 24, he arrived in Hawai‘i, where he fell in love with and wed Princess Bernice Pauahi Pāki.  During his time in Hawai‘i, Mr. Bishop was a consultant and Privy Councilor to five generations of Hawaiian monarchs from 1859 to 1892; a legislator and government official of the Kingdom of Hawaii; and one of Hawaii's greatest philanthropists.  He was one of the first trustees of and largest donors to the Kamehameha Schools and was the founder of First Hawaiian bank.  Following the passing of the Princess, Mr. Bishop founded the Museum in her honor to care for her possessions and the other ali‘i treasures

In 1894, Bishop left Hawai`i to make a new life in San Francisco, California where he resided until his death in 1915.  In accordance with Bishop’s expressed wish, his ashes were returned to Hawai‘i and interred in the Kamehameha Tomb at Mauna ‘Ala beside his wife.

In August, Hawaiian Hall reopened after a three-year renovation.  The restored hall is a testament to this generation’s commitment to the ideals of Mr. Bishop and Princess Pauahi – to tell the stories of Hawai‘i. 

Learn more about Mr. Bishop in the Founder's Alcove in the Castle Memorial Building.  Also, on the 2nd floor of the Castle Memorial Building, don’t miss Ka Lei Pāpale.  This exhibition features Bishop Museum’s 19th and 20th century hat collection alongside contemporary hats crafted by artists of today.  This unique exhibit is a treat for anyone with an interest in Hawai‘i’s fashion heritage. 

Ho‘olaulole:  The Joy of Wearable Art is another must see exhibit that features fashion pieces created by Native Hawaiian visual art students and some of the most cutting-edge artists of today.  Located in the Joseph M. Long Gallery, this exhibition features full body adornment, from clothing to jewelry. 

Bishop Museum’s mission is to study, preserve, and tell the stories of the natural and cultural history of Hawai‘i and the Pacific.  It is designated as the State Museum of Natural and Cultural History.  With more than 24 million catalogued objects, Bishop Museum’s collection ranks fourth in the United States and is among the top ten in the world. 

Museum hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; it is closed on Tuesdays.  To learn more about Bishop Museum’s exhibits, programs, activities, admission, and other information, please visit www.bishopmuseum.org or call (808) 847-3511.

-pau-