Bishop Museum General Admission Ticket

For $33 a ticket, I really expected more. The Hawaiian and Polynesian halls are fine but nothing really special. The castle memorial building exhibit is pretty empty right now -- seems like they are in the process of putting in an exhibit? The garden is under construction so there is nothing there right now. and the science adventure center.. needs a lot of help. Science adventure center was dirty and lots of things were missing. Iolani palace was a way better use of time and money.

Very interesting and enlightening. Our tour guide was educated and a good communicator. She shared great stories. Expect to spend at least 4 hours winding your way around the main museum.

My wife and I made a stop at the Bishop Museum in Honolulu, and managed to do half of the museum in about an hour. The Bishop is beautifully curated with a collection that explores the history of the Polynesian people and how their ingenuity settled the Hawaiian islands… well worth a visit.

Very enjoyable and so educational about the history of Hawaii! We had been there before but wanted our friends to see it. Loved every minute and if you can get Jimbo to do a tour with you, yhen are indeed lucky because he is just a fabulous guide!

Have you ever wondered what life was like for the ancient Hawaiians? Does learning about the former chiefs and monarchs interest you? Are you fascinated by Hawaiian religious practices and culture? Then the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum is the place for you! Located at 1525 Bernice Street, Honolulu HI, the Bishop Museum is the largest in the state. With over 24 million historical specimens and four buildings full of knowledge, the Bishop Museum is a great attraction for tourists and locals alike.

We will focus our attention on the main building for the sake of conciseness, but even then, there is so much to tell. The first room on the right of the entrance hall is the J. M. Long Gallery. The latest exhibit in this room since the time of this writing is the Kū a Lanakila! Expressions of Sovereignty in Early Territorial Hawaiʻi, 1900-1920 exhibit. The room presents items from the politically and socially tense period after the overthrow of the Hawaiian kingdom. Things like felt versions of traditional feather capes and voting ribbons worn to promote political candidates are on display. The centerpiece of the room, however, is the forty-foot-long outrigger canoe made of valuable koa wood.

Now, the next room, The Hawaiian Hall. This three-story chamber holds a great deal of the museum’s treasures. The first floor called Kai Ākea shows some of the lore of ancient Hawaiian religion. Multiple statues of Hawaiian gods and spirits can be viewed. Visitors can see these totems in a range of sizes and materials such as stone or wood. Some are even adorned with dog teeth or human hair! Also to be seen are the following: Art panels depicting the Hawaiian creation myth, a prized feather cloak and matching helmet, and a life-size reproduction of a grass hut.

The second floor of the Hawaiian Hall, Wao Kanaka, showcases common items in the lives of the ancient Hawaiian people. A multitude of fishing hooks, nets, and baskets used to catch anything from shrimp to octopus are presented. Display cases show different types of cloth, how they were made, and their uses. There are also pieces of pottery made from gourds and cooking utensils like poi pounders. There are fun items like pieces of jewelry made from turtle shells or whale bone and sporting equipment such as specially shaped rocks, a sled, and a surfboard. Let’s not forget about the shark tooth weapons used by the warriors of long ago. This floor also tells about the significance of tattoos, haircuts, medicine, and the phases of the moon to Hawaiian culture.

On the third floor, called Wao Lani, there are cases and placards describing the overall history of the islands from the rule of chiefs like Kamehameha the Great till the time of American statehood. Powerful figures such as Queen Liliʻokolani, Queen Emma, The Kamehameha's Ruth Keʻelikōlani, Duke Kahanamoku, Prince Jonah Kalanianaʻole, Mary Pukui, and Bernice Bishop herself, are seen and discussed. Interesting belongings such royal attire, paintings, and other trinkets are on display.

The building has a few other chambers. The Picture Hall features paintings of prominent Hawaiian figures and historical writings. This room is also home to two wooden 3D picture boxes which can rotate through several black and white photos. The Pacific Hall tells of other Polynesian cultures such as those from Fiji, New Guinea, the Marquis Islands, and New Zealand. There is so much more to be seen at the museum such as the Richard T. Mamiya Science Adventure Center, The J. Watumull Planetarium, and a rotating gallery with completely new exhibits every so often.

The Bishop Museum is a fantastic attraction for visitors young and old. Hours can be lost by looking through the massive collection and playing with interactive exhibits. Hawaiian history is excellently preserved and shared at this wonderful museum.

Exhibits are very nice, beautiful woodwork but the planetarium needs a lot of work in the waiting area

Bishops Palace provided an in depth look into Hawaiin culture and history of the building, and the people who lived there. Great for teenagers to explore at their own pace. Beautiful architecture.

Museum was closed Thanksgiving
. But you sold us tickets anyway. This was the only day we had availble
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The large map in the exhibit showing the migration of populations, and the complete description of origins of the Hawaiian people ('indigenous').

This is a lovely museum with a very interesting collection and overview of Hawaiian history. The historic building itself is beautifully maintained. Definitely worth a trip.

Buy a ticket on line and they give you a nice discount.

My only complaint is the price they charge for on-site parking, which is way, way, way out of line. Better to find on-street parking and walk in.

This is a very comprehensive collection of many aspects of Pacific Island culture (with a reasonable focus on Hawai'ian impacts / legacy. There are many aspects they show with great collections of artifacts and reconstructed items. There is a QR code tour for your phone that helps with the information.

The museum itself was great! However I was told ticket is only 5$ on that day when checking in at the reception, and the ticket I bought on Viator was 33or4$ which is non refundable….

Nice introduction to Hawaii history, and a lovely look at a building being purpose- built for this museum in the early 1900’s. The price of parking, however, was ridiculous. There’s no reason for an additional fee of $17.00 on top of the museum admission fee. No interactive exhibits. The museum has a sort of archaic feel to it regarding presentation.

You need a car to get here, and the parking isn't cheap. But it is a worthwhile experience. The building was originally a school and is beautifully made. We managed to get on a docent-led short overview tour at 11:30 a.m., which was helpful. Incredible history. I enjoyed the special room laying out the whole Hawaiian Royal family tree.

Very educational and informative. Lots to see and do. I definitely recommend especially for families with kids, plenty to keep the occupied.

The museum was great, viator is a terrible company that refused to let us refund. Buyer beware just get your tickets there instead of going with this borderline scam of a company

WORTH IT! So many cool things to se and read about. It was one of the best museums I've ever visited. 10/10!! Be sure to make time to visit all 3 buildings. This is not a quick tour.