Wow. Look at the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum. It’s magnificent isn’t it?
This isn’t just any museum. The Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum is the largest in Hawaii. It holds the world’s biggest collection of Polynesian cultural artifacts and natural history specimens. Think about that for a moment. Millions of objects telling stories of ancient cultures and natural wonders.
Charles Reed Bishop built this museum. He was a successful businessman. He also wanted to honor his wife Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. She was the last heir of the Kamehameha Dynasty. The museum was originally intended to house the family heirlooms passed down through her royal lineage.
The building itself is a piece of history. Hawaiian Hall and Polynesian Hall were constructed in 1898. They’re in the Richardsonian Romanesque style. The Pacific Commercial Advertiser called them the noblest buildings in Honolulu. Today the koa wood in the display cases is worth more than the buildings themselves. That’s quite something to consider.
But the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum is more than just beautiful buildings and impressive collections. It has been instrumental in major expeditions. One such expedition was the Kaimiloa Expedition in 1924. Funded by a millionaire this five-year journey explored remote Pacific islands. Scientists collected insects plants minerals archeological and ethnological specimens. They even studied ocean currents. The goal was to learn more about the origins of Polynesians their language and migrations.
The museum continues to be a center of research. Its library and archives are amazing resources. They hold personal papers of Hawaiian royalty including Bernice Pauahi Bishop herself and Queen Liliuokalani. The extensive collection includes scientific papers genealogical records and other invaluable memorabilia. This is a living repository of history. The institution even houses the third-largest entomology collection in the United States. That’s over 13.5 million specimens.
So as you stand here before the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum remember this. It’s not just a building. It’s a living testament to Hawaiian and Polynesian culture. It’s a treasure trove of knowledge. It’s a place where history science and culture intertwine. A truly remarkable place.