Signature Galleries
Discover Hawai‘i’s history and living culture, learn about Polynesian wayfinding, and experience the thrill of an erupting volcano – only at Bishop Museum.
Campus Murals
Bishop Museum’s outdoor murals provide an immersive art experience that bridges traditional culture, creative expression, and indigenous perspectives. Each mural was completed in 2021 in conjunction with the special exhibit POW! WOW! The First Decade: From Hawaiʻi to the World which showcased some of the most notable Hawai‘i-based artists, international street artists, and sculptors.
Hawaiian Hall
Hawaiian Hall takes you on a journey through the different realms of Hawai‘i.
The first floor is the realm of Kai Ākea which represents the Hawaiian gods, legends, beliefs, and the world of pre-contact Hawai‘i.
The second floor, Wao Kanaka, represents the realm where people live and work; focusing on the importance of the land and nature in daily life.
The third floor, Wao Lani, is the realm inhabited by the gods; here, you will learn about the ali‘i and key moments in Hawaiian history.
Pacific Hall
Explore Moananuiākea, the wide expanse of Oceania, in Pacific Hall. Encounter the family of the Pacific on the first floor, which is filled with cultural treasures – model canoes, woven mats, contemporary artwork, and videos of Pacific scholars.
On the second floor, learn about the origins and migrations of Pacific peoples through the fields of archaeology, oral traditions, and linguistics.
Learn how the peoples of Oceania are diverse, yet deeply connected.
Picture Gallery
Experience the world’s finest collection of 19th century Hawaiian art, historic oil paintings, watercolors, rare books, and collectibles.
Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kāhili Room
The Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kāhili Room honors cherished ali‘i and displays the precious Kāhili (feather standards) associated with them.
On display here are portraits of the Hawaiian Monarchy and examples of their personal
effects.
Nā Ulu Kaiwi‘ula Native Hawaiian Garden
Take a stroll through our garden and learn about plants important to Hawaiian culture. You’ll find dozens of species ranging from endemic plants (found nowhere else on Earth) to plants like breadfruit that were brought by Polynesians when they discovered the Hawaiian Islands centuries ago.
The garden is maintained by our Botany Department and with the help of volunteers.
Richard T. Mamiya Science Adventure Center
This 16,500 square-foot facility showcases immersive and interactive exhibits – with an emphasis on Hawai‘i’s environment.
Become an active participant in exploring areas of science in which Hawai‘i has gained international recognition for cutting edge research – including volcanology, oceanography, and biodiversity.
Be a Part of Our Story
Celebrate the extraordinary history, culture, and environment of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific with a gift to Bishop Museum. As a partner in the Museum’s work, you can help to sustain vital collections, research, and knowledge, and inspire exploration and discovery with a tax-deductible donation.
