Bishop Museum

Bishop Museum

The Bishop Museum is Hawaii's largest and most comprehensive museum, housing over 25 million artifacts, documents, and scientific specimens. Located in Honolulu, it offers a deep dive into Hawaiian history, Pacific island cultures, and natural sciences, with interactive exhibits, a planetarium, and rotating cultural displays.

Bishop Museum, Oahu

Here is a destination that's not only entertaining but also enlightening. The Bishop Museum in Honolulu on the island of Oahu is Hawaii's largest museum with an extensive collection of cultural artifacts, art works, documents, manuscripts, audio files and historical photographs of Hawaii and other Pacific island nations and cultures. The collection started with the royal family heirlooms of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. Her husband Charles Reed Bishop founded the Bishop Museum as a tribute to her. The collection has since then ballooned to millions of items, which tell museum visitors the history of Hawaii and the Pacific.

The huge collection has also expanded to items that are of scientific nature: shells from the Hawaiian Islands, insect specimens, birds and the skeleton of a 50-foot sperm whale. You'll also find displays of ceremonial spears, great feathered capes of kings and old photos of hula dancers. There are interactive exhibits and presentations (such as a lava-melting demo) as well as a spectacular planetarium, where visitors can learn about Polynesian navigation by the stars, the stars visible above the Hawaiian Islands and the cutting-edge astronomy that is being done with top-notch telescopes on the summit of Mauna Kea on Hawaii's Big Island.

Visitors to the Bishop Museum are permitted to photograph and videotape the exhibits. However, please note that in certain exhibit areas, videography and photography may be limited due to copyright and/or cultural sensitivities. Please comply with posted rules.


Key Features of Bishop Museum

  • Hawaii's largest museum: Features over 25 million items showcasing Hawaiian and Pacific cultural heritage, art, and science.
  • Founded in 1889: Established by Charles Reed Bishop in honor of his wife, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop.
  • Planetarium and science center: Offers interactive exhibits on Polynesian navigation, astronomy, and Hawaiian volcanoes.
  • Royal and natural collections: Includes heirlooms of Hawaiian royalty and specimens like shells, birds, and a 50-foot whale skeleton.
  • Located in Honolulu: Situated at 1525 Bernice Street, Honolulu, HI 96817.


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Frequently Asked Questions

📍Where is the Bishop Museum located?

The museum is located at 1525 Bernice Street in Honolulu, Hawaii.

🧭What can I see at the Bishop Museum?

You can explore Hawaiian royal artifacts, Pacific cultural exhibits, natural science collections, and a planetarium.

🌋Is the Bishop Museum suitable for kids?

Yes, children enjoy the interactive science exhibits, volcano demos, and space learning in the planetarium.

🎫Do I need tickets to enter the Bishop Museum?

Yes, general admission tickets are required and can be purchased online or at the entrance.

📸Can I take photos at the Bishop Museum?

Photography is allowed in most areas, but some exhibits may have restrictions due to cultural sensitivity or copyright.