Bishop Museum

The Bishop Museum, founded in 1889 by Charles Reed Bishop to honor his late wife Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, stands as one of Hawai‘i’s most significant cultural institutions. Princess Pauahi, the last direct descendant of the Kamehameha dynasty, left behind a legacy deeply tied to the heritage and identity of the Hawaiian people. Originally created to house her extensive collection of Hawaiian artifacts and royal heirlooms, the museum has since grown into a globally recognized center of cultural and scientific learning.

At its earliest stages, the museum’s centerpiece was the majestic Polynesian and Hawaiian Halls, constructed on the original campus of the Kamehameha Schools for Boys. These spaces, rich in architectural detail and cultural symbolism, set the foundation for what would become the largest museum in Hawai‘i. In 1940, the museum and the school parted ways, and the Bishop Museum expanded to fully dedicate itself to preserving and sharing the stories of Hawai‘i and the Pacific.

Today, the museum holds millions of objects, documents, and photographs that reflect the natural and cultural history of the islands and the wider Pacific region. Its vast natural history collections include specimens that rank among the largest in the world, while its cultural archives safeguard traditions, genealogies, and knowledge systems that continue to resonate with Native Hawaiian and Pacific communities.

The Bishop Museum is more than a repository of objects—it is a living institution. Its mission is closely tied to the preservation and advancement of Native Hawaiian culture, while also serving as a bridge between tradition and contemporary scholarship. Through groundbreaking research, consulting services, exhibitions, and public educational programs, the museum fosters dialogue about identity, heritage, and the environment.

As Hawai‘i’s premier museum, the Bishop Museum remains a place where history, science, and culture converge, ensuring that the stories of the islands endure for future generations.