Bishop Museum
Hawaii State Museum of Natural and Cultural History, otherwise known as the Bishop Museum, is the premier museum destination on the history and science of the Hawaii archipelago. Dating back to 1889, the Bishop Museum is the largest museum in the state and the home of the world's largest collection of Polynesian artifacts and natural history specimens which exceeds 24 million in total.
Established by philanthropist Charles Reed Bishop in the late 19th century, the Bishop Museum was built in dedication to Bishop's wife, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last remaining heir to the Kamehameha Dynasty of Hawaiian monarchs. The museum was originally intended to hold only family heirlooms to be passed down through generations but it grew into the largest museum in the state of Hawaii.
In the lovely city of Honolulu, you'll find the Bishop Museum open every day from 9-5. Inside, your group may begin your tour with the first-floor exhibit of the Hawaiian Hall galleries which span the first three floors. The first floor covers the realm of Hawaiian mythology and pre-contact Hawaii; the second floor explores the connection between the land and everyday living on the islands, and the third is devoted to key moments in Hawaiian history. Also visit the Pacific Hall to see a two-story exploration of Oceania, its peoples, and traditions, stories, and artifacts. Also on the grounds is a native garden filled with endemic plants, the Richard T. Mamiya Science Adventure Center, and the Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame, among other temporary exhibitions.
