Welcome to Baker Island
Upstairs Gallery of the Hawai`iloa Exhibit
The Society Islands were the ancient hub of East Polynesia, a source for voyagers as far north as Hawai‘i and south to Aotearoa (New Zealand). They were also a gathering place. The sacred temple of Taputapuatea on Ra`iatea was one such international meeting ground:
...it became custom for these groups to send representatives with offerings to `Oro in great double canoes...from which streamed long pennants of their respective colors...Each had one or two great deep- toned drums, called ta`i-moana (sounding-at-sea), and a great conch-shell trumpet, called pu-ta`i-i-te-aeha (trumpet sounding over the sea from horizon to horizon), with which they kept track of each other at sea and signalled, and when approaching the sacred goal triumphantly announced themselves.
(Teuira Henry, Ancient Tahiti, 1924)
Hawai`iloa, Hokule`a and Makali`i will join other island nations here in 1995.
At this island station learn how ancient fishhooks can be
used not only catch fish but also to tell time.
Welcome to Baker Island
Upstairs Gallery of the Hawai`iloa Exhibit
BISHOP MUSEUM
The State Museum of Natural and Cultural History
For Museum Information, call (808) 847-3511