Bishop Museum, Honolulu

The historic Bishop museum, founded by a Hawaiian princess, is the most important respository of Polynesian artifacts in the world. The museum has world renowned collection of cultural objects and natural science specimens which includes rare artifacts from Hawaiian and Pacific cultures such as ceremonial and domestic objects, poi pounders, adzes, pre-industrial Polynesian art, etc.

While visiting, you MUST visit their new Science Adventure Center (opened recently). It provides exhibits that are immersive and interactive with a strong emphasis on better understanding Hawaii’s environment.

Admission Fees:
General - Adult $ 14.95
General - Senior, 65 & over $ 11.95
General - child (ages 4-12) $ 11.95
General - child (age 3 & under) Free
There's a student discount too so if you're a student, bring your I.D.

This wonderful Victorian building houses an incredible collection of art and artifacts of Hawaii, Polynesia and Micronesia. It was built by Charles Reed Bishop in 1889 in memory of his wife, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop who was the last descendant of the royal Kamehameha family. Bishop had come to Hawaii from New York and was a leading businessman who was also involved in many civic activities including promoting proper schools for the residents. The museum's publicity states: "Our mission is to record, preserve and tell the stories of Hawaii and the Pacific, inspiring our guests to embrace and experience our natural and cultural world." They have done a wonderful job - you can see symbols of Hawaiian royalty, artifacts from all over the Pacific, legends and depictions of the gods, and even live hula performances and other demonstrations of traditional Hawaiian arts. There is also an observatory & planetarium on the grounds where you can learn how the Polynesians navigated by the stars.

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We are getting the trolley to the Bishop Center this morning. Well that was the plan

Originally I had planned to take one of the sightseeing trolleys out there, but they have shortened the route and no longer go out that far. So we took The Bus (#2) The driver and other pax were very helpful about where to get off and where to go after that. We got transfers.

The bus doesn't go directly to the museum - there is a two block walk, plus the gate is about another block from the buildings. We went first to the Science Adventure Center. My grandson played with the remote control underwater robot and looked at the volcano model and down into where the underwater robot operates. We also saw information on volcano tubes. After lunch, we went to the Planetarium for a talk on how the Polynesians got to Hawaii using the stars. Although I thought it was semi-interesting, I almost went to sleep (maybe jet lag) and my grandson thought it was boring. My sister was sad that we missed all the stuff in the main building, but I think my grandson would have found that just as boring as the planetarium.

We walked up to the bus stop and there was a bus there - I told my grandson to run up and tell the driver I was coming, but he misunderstood and thought I just wanted to know what bus it was. So we missed it. Eventually got on a #2 and went back to Waikiki

Open Wednesday to Monday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed on Tuesdays.

Ample free parking
Admission: Adult $ 17.95
Senior, 65 & over and child 4-12 $ 14.95 (age 3 & under)

FreeDiscounts for military and kama'aina, but you must show ID

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My grandmother said that she didn't think I would want to surf, so I said that if she did it, I would do it. I think she almost wanted to try it, but she asked me if I wouldn't want to go to the Bishop Museum instead. She said they had a remote control sub and stuff on volcanos, so I decided that would be cool. We went on the bus. The bus doesn't go directly to the museum - there is a two block walk, plus the gate is about another block from the buildings. My grandmother really walks slow.

We went first to the science building, and were told that there would be a lava melting demonstration in about 10 minutes. There was a very noisy furnace going behind a steel mesh curtain, heating up the lava rocks. The demonstrating person passed around various kinds of lava to the audience, and then he opened the curtain a little and put on turnout gear (like firefighters wear) and poured out the lava in a red glowing stream (2 photos - one with flash and one without)

After that I played with the remote control underwater robot and looked at the big volcano model. I got a good picture of the lava bubbling up. We also saw information on volcano tubes which I expect we will see on the Big Island. We went to the Planetarium for a talk which was boring.

Admission: Adult $ 17.95
Senior, 65 &over $ 14.95
Child 4-14 $ 14.95
Child 3 & under free

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The Bishop Museum is one of my favorite places in the world. It houses a wonderful collection of artifacts from old Hawaii and Polynesia, and also tells the story of the immigrant groups who have contributed to Hawaii's history.

There are feather war gods, huge gourd bowls, clubs studded with sharks' teeth, a full-size grass hut, and things that belonged to Hawaiian royalty, and special exhibits. (After you've seen all the feathers taken from the tail of the o'o, you can make up your own story about how the bird got its name... )

The Planetarium has several different shows, one explaining how the ancient Hawaiians navigated by the stars. With my faulty sense of direction, I probably would have ended up in Alaska.

The Science Adventure Center offers interactive exhibits about Hawaii's environment, including simulated lava flows and tidal waves. When we were there in 2009, an animated dinosaur exhibit was there for a few months.

Local hula and music groups often perform in the main hall, and once we went to a children's festival on the grounds.

Admission: Adults $ 15.95, Seniors (65 & over)and children 4-12 years $ 12.95. Children 3 & under - free. Discounts for military and kama'aina, but you must show ID. Some buildings date from the 1880s, not all are wheelchair accessible.

For detailed directions and a current schedule of events, please refer to the museum website.

If you wish to find out about Hawaiian royalty, Hawaiian flora and fauna etc., go to the Bishop Museum. It houses an extensive collection of Hawaiian artifacts and royal family heirlooms. There heirlooms come from the founder of the museum, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop who was the last Hawaiian royal.

The museum has more meaning when you join the tours (included with the entrance fee). Arrive early enough in the day to be able to follow a few of the tours. It took us over 1/2 a day to see everything before we were museumed out.

Cost in 2004 for adults is still $15 each. We found a coupon in some magazine for $5 off the entrance fee.

The Bishop Museum is an excellent museum in Honolulu. It is a friendly museum, full of interesting exhibits. The Hawaii Hall is 3 balcony floors of display cases with lots of information. I love the kings' feather capes, the Ni'ihau shell leis, the beautiful wooden bowls, and especially the model of the islands showing the 'newest' island that is erupting way below the ocean. There are other exhibits in other buildings including a sports in Hawaii hall and rotating exhibits in Castle Hall.

There is a good gift shop and a decent cafe.

Admission is $14.95 for adults; 11.95 for youth 4-12 years

The museum's mission is to record, preserve and tell the stories of Hawai`i and the Pacific, inspiring their guests to embrace and experience Hawaii's natural and cultural world. It is a great way to learn about Hawaii, both land and its people. My personal favorite is the exhibit on Hawaii's Royal Family and Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame. The museum admission also include the admission to the Honolulu Maritime Museum which is located offsite next to the Aloha Tower in downtown Honolulu.