Bishop Museum Loans Kamehameha’s Cape to ‘ Iolani Palace
In a historic agreement, Bishop Museum will be loaning two treasured ‘ahu‘ula (feathered capes of the ali‘i) to the Friends of ‘ Iolani Palace for temporary display in the ‘ Iolani Palace galleries according to Bishop Museum Interim President Michael Chinaka.
“The greatly significant and highly valued feather cape of Kamehameha the Great, said to have been made from the feathers of approximately 80,000 birds, will once again be at ‘ Iolani Palace for exhibition,” confirmed Betty Lou Kam, Bishop Museum Vice President of Cultural Resources.
Kam also confirmed that a second object, a feather cape once belonging to Queen Lili‘uokalani, will also be loaned to ‘ Iolani Palace and remain on public display in their galleries. The objects will be on loan and on public display for a six-month period. The exhibit opened on September 2, 2007 to coincide with ‘Onipa‘a: A Birthday Celebration of Queen Lili‘uokalani that was sponsored by the Hawai`i Pono`i Coalition and held on the grounds of ‘ Iolani Palace .
The loans are being made with the approval of Bishop Museum ’s Board of Directors.
“We are pleased for the opportunity to exhibit these unique treasures of the Hawaiian monarchy at ‘ Iolani Palace , “ says Board Chairman David Hulihe‘e. “The special loan will help build greater appreciation for such cultural treasures with an even broader audience of residents and visitors to Hawai‘i.”
Not since the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom more than 114 years ago has the cloak of King Kamehameha the Great been on display in ‘ Iolani Palace . Regarded as a symbol of chiefly authority, the cloak was worn ceremoniously by succeeding monarchs to demonstrate their legitimacy as a successor to Kamehameha the Great. In addition, the cloak was regularly displayed at ‘ Iolani Palace on special occasions during the reigns of both King Kalakaua and Queen Lili‘uokalani.
“It is a powerful sight to behold these two ‘ahu‘ula within their historical context,” states Kippen de Alba Chu , Executive Director of The Friends of ‘ Iolani Palace . “We are so thankful to Bishop Museum for allowing us the opportunity to share these precious items with our visitors and residents alike.”
For more information about Bishop Museum ’s loan to ‘ Iolani Palace , call (808) 847-3511 or visit www.bishopmuseum.org .
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