Oahu’s Bishop Museum is a Cultural Gem in the Heart of Honolulu🏛️

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Hawaiian Hall Bishop Museum Honolulu Hawaii

Most visitors to Oahu save this incredible Honolulu museum for a rainy day. Here’s why you should trade a beach day for this cultural experience.

When you think of Oahu, beaches and surfboards might be the first things that come to mind. But if you’re looking to uncover the rich cultural history of Hawaii, the Bishop Museum is the perfect place to start. 

Home to the largest collection of Polynesian cultural artifacts in the world, the Bishop Museum is a journey into the heart of the islands. The Pacific’s premier cultural and natural history museum is where the stories of Hawaii’s people, traditions, and natural wonders come to life. 

Plus, where else can you get to know ancient Hawaiian gods, marvel at a real lava-melting volcano exhibit, and stargaze like a Polynesian navigator, all in one afternoon?

So, if you’re ready to take a break from the sun (or need a fun rainy-day plan to entertain the kiddos), the Bishop Museum is the perfect place to spend a few unforgettable hours. 

Let’s get to know it, shall we?

A Quick History of the Bishop Museum

The Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum was founded in 1889 by Charles Reed Bishop to honor his wife, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last descendant of the royal Kamehameha family. 

Bishop Museum Oahu Best Things to Do Hawaii
Oahu’s Bishop Museum

Located on Bernice Street in downtown Honolulu, the museum serves as a tribute to her legacy and a celebration of Hawaiian culture. Originally intended to preserve the royal heirlooms of the Kamehameha dynasty, over the years it’s grown into a world-renowned institution showcasing Hawaiian history, and science. 

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you choose to book through these links, I receive a small commission, which I will likely blow on mai tais, poke, and shave ice.  All of this internet voodoo takes place at no additional cost to you. 

More than a century later, it’s not just the largest museum – it’s a treasure trove of knowledge connecting Hawaii’s past to the present.

Fun Facts About the Bishop Museum

  • The premier destination for Polynesian studies, the museum houses over 24 million historical, cultural, and natural artifacts. From royal Hawaiian cloaks to ancient navigation tools, its collection is unmatched.
  • It’s not just about history and culture – the museum also holds an enormous natural history collection of more than 125,000 species, including rare Hawaiian plants, insects, and even bird species that are now extinct.

What to See and Do at the Bishop Museum

You could spend a full day wandering the many buildings and permanent collections but here are a few things you don’t want to miss:

Hawaiian Hall

Hawaiian Hall Bishop Museum Honolulu Hawaii
Hawaiian Hall

The museum’s crown jewel, Hawaiian Hall, showcases the rich cultural heritage of Hawaii. Its three floors are packed with cultural collections including artifacts like feather capes worn by Hawaiian royalty, wooden carvings, and ancient tools. 

The first floor is Kai Akea and explores the Hawaiian gods and legends. The second floor explains the importance of nature in daily life. And the third floor is the realm of the ali’i (royalty).

Hawaiian Hall Bishop Museum Hawaii Honolulu Things to Do
Hawaiian Hall

But the real showstopper is hanging from the ceiling. Look up to see a 55-foot sperm whale model that has been part of the museum since 1901. It’s a crowd favorite and a perfect photo op.

Pacific Hall

Pacific Hall Bishop Museum Honolulu Hawaii
Pacific Hall, Bishop Museum

Dive into the broader Pacific region’s history and culture in this beautifully designed space. From traditional navigation techniques to unique artifacts from various Pacific islands, this hall highlights the interconnectedness of Polynesian cultures.

Richard T. Mamiya Science Adventure Center

Science Center Bishop Museum Hawaii
The Science Center

This one is a kid favorite. The Science Center offers interactive exhibits focused on Hawaii’s unique environment. Learn about volcanic activity, ocean ecosystems, and even experience an erupting volcano simulation.

Oh, and the volcano exhibit isn’t just a model – it features real molten lava, which is heated to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit and poured during live demonstrations. This is one of the only places in the world you can see lava flow up close in a controlled environment.

Planetarium

Planetarium Bishop Museum Oahu Hawaii
Inside the Planetarium

The J. Watumull Planetarium is a must-visit for stargazers. Discover Hawaiian navigation techniques and the significance of the stars in Polynesian voyaging through immersive shows. Learn how Pacific island cultures navigated the vast Pacific Ocean using only the stars. 

Tips for Visiting

  • Plan Ahead: Give yourself at least 2-3 hours to explore. There’s so much to see, and you won’t want to rush.
  • Check the Calendar: The museum hosts fun special events like cultural festivals, workshops, and stargazing nights in the planetarium.
  • Bring the Kids: Kids will love the Science Center, especially the popular Lava Melt demonstration (get a seat early, they fill up fast)!
  • Grab Lunch Nearby: There’s a small café on-site, but we love to grab breakfast at the understated nearby gem Guieb Cafe before we go.
  • Gift Shop – Don’t forget to visit the cute gift shop before you leave, they have some really unique things.
Bishop Museum Gift Shop Hawaii
The gift shop

Hours & Admission

Hours of Operation: Open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, except on major holidays like Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Admission Prices:

  • Adults: $33.95 
  • Youth (4-17): $16.95 (kids under 4 are free)
  • Senior, Kama‘aina and military discounts are available with valid ID.

Tickets: Bishop Museum Website

Tickets can be purchased online or at the museum entrance. If it’s a rainy day, booking in advance is highly recommended, especially for the planetarium shows. The museum and the equally popular Iolani Palace are the immediate go-to’s for visitors when it rains.

Read More: Iolani Palace: Why America’s Only Royal Palace is a Must-See in Honolulu👑

Tip: If you’re killing time at the museum before an evening flight home, they do have baggage storage for $5 per item.

Is it Worth Leaving the Beach for the Bishop Museum?

You bet it is! 

Sure, the beaches are probably what brought you to Oahu. But a visit to the Bishop Museum will make your trip to the Hawaiian Islands so much more memorable and meaningful. Like the beautiful Iolani Palace, the Bishop Museum provides a deeper understanding of Hawaii’s roots and the aloha spirit that makes these islands so special. 

So, add the Bishop Museum to your Oahu itinerary. 

And when you do head back to Waikiki Beach, you’ll appreciate Hawaii’s beauty on a whole new level.

Image of Hawaiian Hall in the Bishop Museum Oahu with a giant whale model hanging from the ceiling over the exhibits. Text reads Oahu Must Do Bishop Museum Honolulu
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