BISHOP MUSEUMThe State Museum of Natural and Cultural History
For Museum Information, call (808) 847-3511
Bishop Museum's world-renowned collection of cultural objects and natural science specimens comes to life in Na Mea Makamae: Treasures of Hawai‘i , an engaging, interactive exhibition of many of the most rare and rarely seen artifacts, objects, and specimens preserved over the past five centuries. The exhibition, on display through May 4, 1997, is sponsored by Bank of Hawai‘i with additional support by the Bishop Museum Native Hawaiian Culture and Arts Program.
Na Mea Makamae: Treasures of Hawai‘i presents the "best of Bishop Museum." It offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see, hear, and touch what's found nowhere else on Earth, extinct or simply amazing. It shares the story of what our world was like and what our future may be. Visitors can encounter some of Hawai‘i 's most treasured cultural artifacts, explore the extraordinary diversity and splendor of natural science specimens, participate in hands-on activities, watch and listen to dramatizations by live storytellers, and go on an exhibit-wide treasure hunt.
Treasures is about Hawaiian history, nature, diversity, cultural creativity and artistry. Rare artifacts from Hawaiian and Pacific cultures -- ceremonial and domestic objects, poi pounders, adzes, feather cloaks, kahili, makaloa mats, and lapita pottery will be on display. The treasures will "come to life" as roving storytellers in the gallery share the stories behind several of the items.
Visitors can relive history as they encounter such rare objects as Queen Lili`uokalani's secret diaries, King Kalakaua's personal scrapbook containing his ideas, designs, and inventions, Kamehameha the Great's famed solid yellow mamo feather cloak, and the treasured 500 year-old feather malo (sash) of the legendary Chief Lloa, passed down through the generations and hidden under Lili`uokalani's bed until Bishop Museum opened. Original artifacts, plant specimens, and sketches collected and drawn by Captain Cook's crew upon their discovery of the Hawaiian Islands two centuries ago are on view.
Treasures offers over 50 hands-on activities. Keiki can play a Hawaiian musical instrument; learn how to bundle feathers for lei; find out why the beak shapes of honeycreeper birds changed over time; color a tree snail and listen to its mele (song); see themselves through a tiger shark's jaw; listen to musical recordings from the early 1900s; and go on an exhibit-wide "treasure hunt." Each of the amazing treasures in this singular exhibition tells a story. They trace Hawai‘i 's roots across Polynesia, help us understand our island universe, and expand our knowledge of the past, easing our passage into the 21st Century.
The collection of natural science specimens featured in Treasures insects, shells, plants, mammals, fish, rocks, birds, skeletons and fossils showcases the complexity, beauty and mystery of Nature. Visitors can discover the stories behind these wonders and learn how they uncover the secrets of our natural world, tell us about the evolution of life in Hawai‘i , and what is in store for our environment's future.
Visitors can see one of the smallest fish in the world (through a microscope!) and the largest insect, as well as some of the wildest and weirdest creatures ever. Stunningly beautiful native Hawaiian bird species now extinct will be on view. Hawai‘i 's newest volcanic island is being born a mile below sea level and visitors can feel the proof in a special hands-on display of rock from the underwater volcano, Lo`ihi.
BISHOP MUSEUM
The State Museum of Natural and Cultural History
For Museum Information, call (808) 847-3511