Bishop Museum is Honolulu's treasure trove of Pacific Island wonders

The Bishop Museum's several buildings range from historic to contemporary and house millions of priceless items. It represents the world's largest collection of Hawaiian and Pacific cultural artifacts and natural history specimens. Its many collections contribute to global research.

MUSEUM SHINES ARTFUL SPOTLIGHT ON HISTORY OF SOUTH PACIFIC IN STATELY HONOLULU COMPLEX

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS

PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

"The Carpe Diem Kids"

THE BISHOP Museum in Honolulu is a treasure trove.

You'll go down the rabbit hole of Pacific Island discovery when you visit. Plan to spend a day to truly savor and appreciate its marvelous, eye-popping contents.

SHOWCASING AN extensive collection of Hawaiian objects and royal family heirlooms owned by a princess, the museum includes millions of objects, documents and photographs about Hawai'i and other Pacific island cultures -- from massive whale sculptures to elaborate ceremonial headdresses worn by royalty.

The Bishop Museum's extensive nature related exhibits include striking mobiles of a whales, sharks and more.,

Sculpture, tapestries, feathers and elaborate wall hangings are displayed artfully throughout the museum. Above, one of many intriguing pieces made of stones, shells and other materials.

"The Bishop," as it is known worldwide, was founded in 1889 by Charles R. Bishop, the American husband of Hawaiian Princess Bernice Pauahi, who died in 1884.

Because she was the last direct descendant of King Kamehameha, Bishop wanted to honor her legacy as well as celebrating Hawaii's cultural richness.

Imagine 25 million items -- it's mind boggling. Each piece tells a story of the Pacific Islands rich and diverse history and culture. Here Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers survey the splendid collection.

THE MUSEUM has gained an international reputation for its breadth and excellence. As the state's largest museum, it is the Pacific region's premier natural and cultural history institution.

• It is recognized worldwide for its cultural collections, research projects, consulting services and public educational programs.

Feathers are part of the culture. Here, Keller admires a creation made of thousands of them, carefully plucked so the birds were not injured, but released to grow more feathers and continue life.

At left, Bishop and his wife, Pauahi. The museum showcases her extensive collection acquired in her royal life

WE SPENT an enlightening afternoon enjoying the exhibits -- from photographs of famous surfers to hands-on drums, to weavings, tapestries, pottery, mobiles, sculpture, murals, and intriguing diagrams.

 In 1961 a planetarium and an observatory were added to emphasize the role of astronomy in the cultural history of Pacific Island peoples.

BISHOP CREATED the  museum as an enduring memorial to his beloved wife. Pauahi was a well known philanthropist and member of Hawaii's ali'i, or royalty. 

She inherited many irreplaceable heirlooms from her royal family including her prestigious parents and her cousin Ruth Keʻelikōlani. She died at age 52, living only from 1831to 1884. But she was a shrewd businesswoman. 

At her death, her estate was the largest private land ownership in the Hawaiian Islands, comprising an astonishing nine per cent of Hawaii's total area. The revenues from these lands are used to operate the Kamehameha Schools, established in 1887 according to Pauahi's will. Her marriage to Bishop was one of like minded philanthropists who appreciated and shared their wealth.

The Hawaiian Hall at the Bishop Museum contains the world's largest collection of Polynesian artifacts. Millions of pieces of historic art and memorabilia are housed within the museum complex, a world class operation. 

WE ADMIRED many of their treasures, including stone and bone implements and containers, gorgeous feather lei and capes and stunning kihili, those distinctive long poles decorated on one end with a cluster of thousands of feather plumes. 

These, and many of the other museum items, were used as ceremonial emblems by the native Hawaiian people.

Bishop's mission was to honor both his wife's legacy and celebrate the rich culture of South Pacific. Well done.

As our Hawaiian friends say: hele mai e ao, or "come in and learn."

 https://www.bishopmuseum.org/

The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, is world famous, offering a visual feast of  treasures, including art, beautiful user-friendly exhibits and animal studies. It's free, and a wonderful place for families.

UP NEXT: While we're in a museum mood, we visit one of the world's finest. The centerpiece of Wellington is the remarkable Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa which offers a cultural feast and is the focal complex in the city's unusual and popular "free museum" system.

Te Papa Museum is one of many no-admission museums in Wellington, and is a much loved, user friendly place often visited by locals, school groups and by thousands of grateful visitors from all over the world. Te Papa means "container of treasures" and the museum lives up to its name.

Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fresh spin on travel, the arts, family, nature and more. Please share the link with other curious travelers and see our website for a library of must-see museums worldwide, with tips on hotels, bus and train tours, best food and walking tours and making the most of your time at unique attractions:

www.whereiscookie.com