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21 reviews for Bishop Museum-Main Campus
The Bishop Museum is definitely the premier natural and cultural history museum in Hawaii.
The newly renovated Hawaiian Hall is now open and visitors (new and regular ones) will enjoy learning about the rich Hawaiian culture, its history and significant individuals that helped form Hawaii's culture today. Guided tours and storytelling sessions are also available.
Other interesting activities include the Lava Melting Demo at the Mayima Science Adventure Center where you get to see and touch some actual melted lava (after it dries up of course). The building showcases interactive exhibits of Hawaii's natural environment (including a giant volcano). Some exhibits were out of order though, hopefully it gets fixed soon.
Definitely do check out the (J. Watumull) Planetarium for its daily series of programs (11:30 am, 1:30pm and 3:30pm), you'll definitely walk out of there looking up in the sky and reaching for the stars.
Entrance fee for Kama'aina is $8.95 for adults and $7.95 for children (4-12 years old) and Seniors (65+).
We had a wedding rehearsal luau here at the Atherton Halau & Hale Wa'a and it was lovely. The rental price was a bit steep ($900) but it was worth it as it came with a sound system, tables and a lovely view of the museum. Matt Serrao is really easy to work with and the people that work there are very accommodating. The museum is a real treat as well, with awesome exhibits of Hawaiian history and culture as well as a Planetarium and science center. It's a bit outside Waikiki, but is about 15 minutes by car and 45 minutes by bus.
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This is a must-do destination for those who want to learn more about Hawaii's history, culture, geology and biology.
There are two Planetarium shows at Bishop Museum that I highly recommend. Both include a description of the constellations. One show talks about the telescopes on Mauna Kea and the other show explains how the ancient Hawaiians used the skies for navigation at sea.
The science center has some cool displays regarding the volcanoes and the native plant and animal life on the Hawaiian islands. Did you know there are no native snakes? Also some nice exhibits on the different types of waves that come ashore in Hawaii, including the giant surf on the North Shore. Interesting to learn that tsunamis damaged Hilo pretty badly in both 1946 and 1960.
The "castle" that houses the history, cultural and art exhibits is getting a facelift. Many exhibits are closed currently due to the renovation.
What's great is that if you arrive fairly late in the afternoon and don't have time to tour all the exhibits, they will give you a free pass to come back on another day to finish up.
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To put it short and sweet, this is a GREAT spot for an overview of not only Hawaiian history/culture but also to get a great snapshot of the other islands of Polynesia.
Their permanent exhibits focus on both historical and current day events of Polynesia. But they also have visiting exhibits that span a variety of topics (when we went, they had an exhibit on Animation--which REALLY sparked the interest of the bf's nephew!)
I am extremely excited to come back to see the unveiling of the renovated Hawaiian Hall (re-opening Summer 2009). This particular hall houses the most prized possessions and artifacts of ancient Hawai'i.
Note to the wise, wear comfy shoes and bring snackies if you have little ones with you. You could easily spend HOURS at this museum!! Also, the entrance fee isn't too pricey but if you have a local resident with you, you can get the kama'aina rate which will knock off a few dollars.
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I loved this place as a kid on our family trips to Oahu (oooo the big city :) and I liked it as a teenager volunteering on weekends. It's definitely my favorite museum in Hawaii, and it's worth a visit even if you don't have kids to bring as an excuse. Try to stay away (or join the crushing and exhilirated crowds) on family weekend days. There will be more energy in the air, more people to stare at, and more random booths on the lawn, but if you really want to experience the museum, it's impossible in such a crowded environment. You'll end up waiting eons to read through each exhibit or experience the interactive bits. It is more fun to wait in line and feel like you're working to see it though, than being the visitor surrounded by security guards, idle volunteers, and the thrum of the central AC. All in all, this is a great place for an outing, and if you haven't been, you should go.I give it only 4 stars because while it's cool for Hawaii, it's not a Museum of the flabbergasting stature found in, say, Chicago or SF.
The museum needs a facelift- and fast.
It reminds me of a dusty old school building, which is such a shame because it's the premiere museum with the most Hawaiian exhibits.
Please remodel/ clean up!
The Bishop museum is right of the H1 highway and boasts the largest collection of polynesian artifacts anywhere. On the two occassions I have been here, other than the school field trips, there were not a lot of people here. As far as museums go, this place is fairly small. Three main building with a planterium and bookstore.
The planterium show was nice and interesting and the bookstore had good books for child and history buffs alike.
The Hawaiian Hall has artifacts from traditional Hawaiian ceremonies along with pictures and artifacts from when Western settlers started coming to Hawaii.
Luckily for me the first time I came I received a private tour of the private collections, storage and restoration areas. Meaning that I got to see lots of things not open to the public. Two things in particular stand out. 1) shrunken heads from New Guinea and 2) and most important King Kamehameha's cape. It is made from yellow feathers of a now extinct bird. This bird only had two yellow feathers on it making yellow a very valuable color. This cape was woven with these yellow feathers attached. Very interesting.
Overall, a nice place to stop if you are close or a history buff or if you can get a private tour.
What a great museum to go to.. it's not big but the grounds are nice and there are not only a diversity of exhibits in multiple buildings, but also a lot of events going on throughout the year and especially the summer.
If you're from the mainland, this is a great place to get some perspective.
Evidently 2008 is the Year of Hula, there's the Moonlight Mele (evening concert series), ocean exhibits, etc. etc. There's always a lot going on.
It may not be the easiest place to be. If you're by the Ford dealer, you're close!
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To get the bad things out of the way first, this is probably Hawaii's largest museum, yet it's not so big. I think they could expand on this place so much more. Most of it is just a big field.
It was actually quite some time since I've last been here, but when I checked it out recently, it was not as bad as I thought. I went on Museum Day, so it was free, but the regular admission price is kind of expensive for a one time visit. It's recommended you sign up as a member if you are to visit several times a year.
As a local growing up surrounded by some Hawaiian culture, this place is probably not very exciting compared to as if you were a tourist. Everyday there is a schedule of events that you can attend to learn about volcanoes, history, constellations, etc. The (small) planetarium also have presentations in Japanese, which does have a lot of Japanese tourists attending.
Do you really want to know what ancient Hawaii was like? You really want to know? Then skip the luaus, skip the Polynesian Cultural Center, and come to this museum, built under a trust left by Hawaiian Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. This museum is filled with artifacts, photographs and history that will give you a much better idea of how the ancient Hawaiians lived than any Disneyland-inspired show featuring fire-eaters and coconut-tree climbers.
Because Hawaii is a place filled with people of so many different cultures, you will also see their artifacts as well, bits of clothing and housewares and culture they brought with them when they arrived to work on the sugar cane plantations. Displayed are artifacts of China, Japan, Korea, Portugal, the Philippines, among others.
Go. It's a great educational experience, and you will not be disappointed.
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If you're from Hawai'i, you know this place. Seriously, there's only so many places they'll take you for field trips. It's this or Sea Life Park.
You know, going to school on O'ahu from preschool all the way to my bachelor's degree, I've had my share of Bishop Museum sleepovers, field trips, research trips, and random outings.
I love this place.
Granted, when I was younger, I was so freaked out to be in the main hall at night, due to the tons of history that lives there forever..not to mention the death stories that the tour guides will volunteer.
I absolutely love the planetarium. I was able to spend the night a couple times there, and even got to watch Heat on the planetarium ceiling. I'm sure it fueled my obsession for stars.
If you're visiting, and have any interest at all in Hawaiian history, you need to come check this place out.
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This museum is the largest museum of natural and cultural history in the Pacific. Founded by Charles Reed Bishop in 1889 in honor of his wife Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop (the last decendant of the royal Kamehameha family), the museum showcases the history of the Hawaiian people as well as the many other cultures which have settled here.
There are also visiting exhibits as well as a planetarium showcase, sports hall of fame and a gardens area flowing with native tropical plants.
We weren't able to finish the entire area because our child was getting bored. There is a Sesame Street exhibit on right now (running until April 2006) which was fun for him, but when we went to see the other exhibits, he got bored. Most of the museum's exhibits require reading and it was just boring for a 5 yr old. We intend to visit again when he's back at school so we can get more out of it.
For more information, check out their website. Military and Kama'aina rates are half of general admission."
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The Hawaiian Hall is closed until 2009, so keep that in mind when trekking to this musuem, which is already out-of-the-way for most visitors. While the grounds are handsome, the exhibits are not really worth the trip.
I'm about to mention the most sacrilegious thing ever in Yelp: You can get a better grasp on Polynesian culture visiting the Polynesian Cultural Center than here. The only other siginificant exhibit, the Polynesian Hall, is a grab bag of useless war artifacts. The poor condition of the hall is evident in the worn out letterings on the artifact descriptions. Two-levels of relentless grandmas-attic style of presenting stuff is disappointing.
There are a few welcome touches though. The Kahili exhibit is a great preview of the richness of the Hawaiian monarchy. These tall royal standards are beautifully setup in a small room. There seems to be a permanent show-and-tell in the lawn outside. Though I'm scratching my head as to how a Cape Verde presentation got in there one afternoon.
I am disappointed no doubt. The other buildings are utterless useless unless there is a presentation. The presentations come once a day later in the day. Sucks for early risers like me.
yes, this museum is special. i visited as a child with my father and my sisters, and i remember it being hawaiian culture, geography, ( volcanoes have everything to do with Hawaii's existence, not to mention the goddess Pele). skeletons of local whales, sharks, fish, birds, and other native species.
historical artifacts from the days of King Kamehameha, as well as queen Liliokalani. tons of supersticious folklore, that had me scared every night before i went to sleep.
special occasion school trips!
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One star off because this museum has been known to keep collections they've been asked to restore or appraise. Other than that, i have great memories of this place. Having been raised in hawaii i got my chance to thoroughly explore this museum courtesy of the school system. We went on a field trip to Bishop Museum at least once a year. As a child i always revelled in the ancient artifacts and delighted in the children's activities. I remember the whale exhibit they had up for a long time where they sent you on a scavenger hunt to get your little whale passport filled in with stamps so you could get a prize.
As an adult I hold a new respect for this museum's efforts to make the history and culture of Hawaii fun, interactive, and educational.
On a side note: I moved here when i was six from Arizona. One of my favorite hobbies as a child was digging holes and collecting rocks. ( I also found a lot of other neat things in AZ like old football pins and arrowheads but that's another story.) When i moved to Hawaii i cried almost non-stop for a month and refused to step outside of the house. It was explained to me that Hawaii was an Island floating in the middle of the pacific ocean and i took that literally... So i was terrified that if i dug a hole or treaded too roughly i would make the island spring a leak and sink. I was so hysterical that my parents finally had to take me to Bishop and show me the model of the Hawaiian island and convince me i wasnt going to sink us.
Established in 1889, this was designated the State Museum on Natural and Cultural History in 1988. The four-story lava-rock structure houses an amazing collection of cultural artifacts, historical publications, and photographs and films, in addition to specimens of plant and animal life, many of them extinct. An on-site planetarium and a wide variety of hands-on exhibits make the facility a fun family destination.
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someone mentions: State Museum on Natural and Cultural History in 1988
so I am a bit chagrined, just a bit... to see the Bishop Museum not delve into Hawaii's Cultural past more. The new building blocking out the fab view of Honolulu was a disappointing turn of events in the life of the museum. and since I don't have kids, have no reason to visit these traveling science exhibits. But Norm's review lessend the hurt. Knowing kids get so much out of it...
Miss the Hawaiian Hall. Hope it opens soon and I am trusting their word that the design won't be overly modern. The place had a fabulous turn of the century feel to it. Good housing and atmosphere for the hundred year old carriage and the two hundred plus year old ki'i akua and artifacts. Try really explore all buildings. last I went, there was an exhibit showing the queen's possessions and old Edison footage of downtown and Waikiki beach taken I think 1903 or so. This was in the new building next to the original hall, and was told the exhibit was there for a while. Kinda thing you would wanna see a couple times a month. Then, there is the new wing that now houses important rare portraits and paintings never before seen by the general public. The wing is designed and decorated just as it was a hundred years ago. quite cool. Kudos to Desoto Brown and the curator for the work on that!
(one wonders just how the museum would be run if it weren't run by the state? hmmm...)
Addendum:
Bishop Museum, created to further the study of Hawaiian Culture, emailed this request, proving they are working overtime to educate the citizenry of Hawaii:
"Bishop Museum is working to conduct a national survey about what people want from science museums like ours!"
"Wait; Bishop Museum... is known as a "Science Museum"?!
"Would you please take a few minutes to share your thoughts?"
( yea. I like cheese. Mild cheddar. Jalapeno jack, And muenster... WAIT! they say "In Seven words or less" what da hell?!)
"Bishop Museum will greatly benefit from this study, as your thoughts and suggestions are taken into great consideration..."
Yea. that's just great. Hey, can someone throw a Thesaurus at this writer please?
"... as we work to improve your experience, making the Museum and better place for you and your family."
uh; "making the Museum and better place" ??? and what "better place" ?!
"In exchange, survey participants are eligable to win gifts, ranging from Museum memberships to gift certificates to Amazondotcom or iTunes."
First, tell me what "eligable" means, and then I will give you my seven words or less. Oh, wait! Eli's Gable! yes. That's my favorite part of "Charlotte's Web". yea.
ok. uh.. wait. WE.. can actually GO... to http://Amazon.com? or iTunes? Maybe these are the "better place" they refer to. Whatever. It still is heartwarming that a museum is thinking of our iPod capacity requirements.
"Your individual information will be kept confidential and will note be shared or used for any solicitations."
Class; take not of how we learn note to write communications, by reading random survey requests... from museums that know note what they really are; a cultural museum? a science museum? An employment opportunity for the illiterate? mmmm?
ahhh but I keed, I keed!
Oh. and all those that refer to the displays as 'grandma attic', and the contents of our Hawaiian museum as 'useless artifacts' can FU(# OFF!, thank you.
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Wow, this place has really changed since I was a 7th grader studying Hawaiian history! It used to be mostly artifacts in the main hall, which I am very interested in now, but was only marginally interested in when I was a kid. Now the museum has lots of fun displays and exhibits that my son really enjoyed. When we went on a father-son outing recently, there was a cool exhibit about the human brain. Right now, I heard there's an exhibit called "animal grossology." In one building, there was a model of a volcano with steam coming out. That particular building was filled with lots of fun things for children to see and do. Then, to top it off, we watched a planetarium show. Just imagine: three hours at a museum and my active little boy didn't get bored at all (and neither did his dad!) I would highly recommend spending part of a day here.
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What a great place. I am always so impressed by the Bishop Museum. They really explored the history and diverse cultures of Hawaii. There are so many different cultures, and all of it blends perfectly into one, beautiful Hawaiian history. I love the planetarium, and the museum shop is hard to resist. Every visit to Hawaii MUST include a stop here. You'll have a deeper understanding of Hawaii and the people who made the islands what they are today after a trip to the Bishop Museum. Spend at least 2 to 3 hours here. It's totally worth it.
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This is truly an amazing museum. Give yourself a couple hours to wander through the exhibits and really take them in.
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Bishop museum is actually an eclectic array of different museum buildings covering different areas of study. There's one collection of Hawaiian and Polynesian artifacts, as well as another on volcanology and geology of the islands, and one more that has a planetarium. It was interesting if you're a culture nerd like me, and enough fun to kill a couple hours while on Oahu. It was fun, good for kids, and worth an excursion away from the beach, unless you're absolutely devoted to getting skin cancer and ogling.
