Bishop Museum
The Bishop Museum is the Hawaii State Museum of Cultural and Natural Resources. Located in Honolulu, it is named after Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last heir of the Kamehameha Dynasty. After her death in 1884, her husband Charles founded and endowed the museum in her name.
The museum is the largest in Hawaii and houses the world’s largest collection of Polynesian artifacts and natural history specimens. There are more than 14 million insect and arthropod specimens alone, making it the third-largest collection in the United States and the eighth largest worldwide.
It is also home to the Richard T. Mamiya Science Adventure Center, an interactive exhibit that teaches visitors about some of the environmental sciences commonly studied in Hawaii, such as marine science and volcanology.
Both the Hawaiian Hall and Polynesian Hall are built in the Richardsonian Romanesque style. The castle-like architecture emphasizes stonework, arched windows, and arched doorways with small columns (called colonettes) on the sides. Both halls at the Bishop Museum are on the National Register of Historic Places.
Inside, the walls of the display cases are made from the wood of koa trees — a rare and expensive commodity in Hawaii. A complete 55-foot sperm whale skeleton is suspended from the ceiling in the central gallery.
The Hawaiian Hall is built to take visitors through the three realms of Hawaii. The first level, Kai Akea, explains Hawaiian legends, gods, and beliefs. One floor above is the Wao Kanaka, which provides an overview of the importance of land and nature in daily life. The third and final floor, Wao Lani, is the realm inhabited by the gods.
The Pacific Hall provides an overview of the origins and migrations of the Pacific peoples. Visitors can see model canoes, woven mats, and artwork. They can also learn about the importance of oral tradition in Pacific cultures.
The Kahili Room features a look back at the Hawaiian monarchy. It displays the Kahili, the feather standards that symbolize the chiefs and families of the Hawaiian Islands. It includes the yellow cape of King Kamehameha, made from around 450,000 feathers.
Also at the museum, the Na Ulu Kaiwi‘ula Native Hawaiian Garden displays plants endemic to Hawaii along with plants brought to Hawaii from Polynesians long ago.
The Bishop Museum is also the only museum on Oahu with a planetarium, which features shows on navigation (wayfinding) and the Hawaiian night sky. In addition, it maintains a 50,000-volume literary collection that emphasizes anthropology, music, botany, entomology, and zoology.
The Bishop Museum also welcomes traveling exhibits from around the world, such as a LEGO display featuring a 22-foot long replica of Titanic, 10-foot long Zeppelin, and a Saturn V rocket. The Hawaii LEGO Users Group customized the display with models of iconic Hawaiian images, such as Aloha Tower and the voyaging canoe, Hōkūleʻa.
With its focus on Hawaiian tradition and modern life, the Bishop Museum is a jewel in Honolulu for those wishing to appreciate the country’s history and culture.
Directions to Recovery Law Center
Attorney Glenn Honda and the legal team at Recovery Law Center are conveniently located at 1260 Young St., Suite 228, in Honolulu.
To get to us from the Bishop Museum, head northeast on Kapalama Avenue toward North School Street.
Turn right onto North School Street and continue for 1 mile.
Turn left onto Kiapu Place and continue straight onto the I-H1 East ramp toward Waikiki.
Continue on I-H1 East for 2.1 miles. Take exit 23.
Keep right at the fork and merge onto Punahou Street. In 0.3 miles, turn right onto Young Street. Our offices will be on the right.
