Event Planning
Bishop Museum will assist you in creating innovative and exciting meetings and events. Whether you are hosting a board meeting for 10 or a product launch for 1,000, we will work with you to inspire your guests and create a unique experience they won’t forget! Be sure to see our Meeting Enhancements to find out how you can energize your next meeting.
Compliment your meeting with an impressive reception or dinner. Bishop Museum provides evening event spaces that will dazzle your guests!
Venue Special Events Capacities
| Venue | Banquet | Reception | Classroom | Theater | Conference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Great Lawn | 1,000 | 1,000 | 500 | 6,000 | 500 |
| Richard T. Mamiya Science Adventure Center | 300 | 500 | 200 | 500 | 300 |
| Hawai’i Maritime Center | 300 | 500 | 100 | 200 | 300 |
| Amy Greenwell Garden | 300 | 400 | 200 | 500 | 300 |
| Hawaiian Garden | 200 | 250 | N/A | 300 | 200 |
| Gallery Lawns | 200 | 300 | 125 | 120 | 100 |
| Atherton Hālau & Hale Wa’a | 120 | 250 | 120 | 300 | 200 |
| Atrium Courtyard | 100 | 100 | 50 | 150 | 25 |
| Muriel Flanders Lawn | 100 | 200 | 120 | 300 | 250 |
| Planetarium (fixed seating) | N/A | N/A | N/A | 70 | N/A |
| Hale Ikehu | 50 | 50 | 25 | 60 | 20 |
| Pākī Conference Center | 25 | 30 | 25 | 45 | 30 |
*Event space is determined by the number of guests attending the event and the amount of time needed including set-up and break-down. All pricing is based on the customer’s specific needs.
Event Enhancements
Behind the Scenes Tours
With collections large enough to rival the biggest museums in the world, Bishop Museum is a fascinating place to learn more about Hawai‘i’s natural and cultural history. Most people never see the extent of our collections, but with a Behind the Scenes Tour you and your guests will not only have a rare glimpse into Hawai‘i’s history, but you will have the opportunity to see and learn about some of the amazing artifacts in our collections that are not on public display.
Docents
Docents are Museum staff who undergo extensive training and are very knowledgeable about one or more aspects of the Museum’s permanent exhibits. They can give tours, answer questions, and provide interesting facts. We highly recommend docents as a way of providing an enlightening experience for your guests.
Traveling Exhibits
Bishop Museum hosts three to four traveling exhibits each year. Event clients have the opportunity to offer their guests a unique, private viewing of these exhibits during their event based on availability and with an additional fee. Click here to find out more about Bishop Museum’s current traveling exhibits.
Shop Pacifica Gift Shops
Unique souvenirs to remind your guests of your amazing event are available through our gift shops. Let our Ho‘okipa Ambassadors help you find a gift that will leave a lasting impression. Orders should be placed at least 4 weeks prior to the event. Quantity discounts are available for Special Event clients only.
General Policies & Procedures
All Facility Rentals include:
- Complimentary Parking for all venues except Hawai‘i Maritime Center
- Special admission rates for event guests during Bishop Museum’s regular daily hours
- Customized assistance with catering and beverage services
- Customized assistance with activities and tour coordination
- Complimentary hostess to oversee the event
- Customized assistance with entertainment
- Security deposits are non-refundable if the event is canceled within 60 days prior to the event.
- Bishop Museum works with exclusive vendors to provide all food and beverage, floral, décor, valet parking, tenting, lighting and audiovisual amenities. These vendors are trained in the Museum’s policies and procedures. All of our exclusive vendors are fully licensed by the City & County of Honolulu and the State of Hawai‘i. Third party vendors are allowable with Bishop Museum approval and proof of liability insurance.
- Service of alcohol on Bishop Museum property is allowable pursuant to State and Federal liquor laws and with consent from Bishop Museum.
- Additional charges will be applied to additional tables and chairs; not to exceed the maximum capacity set for each venue.
- Prices are subject to change, please contact events@bishopmuseum.org to get the most up-to-date pricing information.
- Bishop Museum and its subsidiary properties (Hawai‘i Maritime Center and Amy Greenwell Garden) Reserve the right to decline service to any company or individual.
- Evening events require a uniformed officer at the client’s expense.
- Events over 500 guests require a minimum of two (2) uniformed officers at the client’s expense.
- Events exceeding 500 guests will require extra parking that may be obtained by the client’s expense.