Bishop Museum
Bishop Museum · Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, USA
A cultural treasure house with the world's largest collection of Polynesian artefacts.
Know before you go
- Don't use flash in the galleries (follow signs on site)
- be respectful around images of gods and ritual objects, and don't be noisy or play around.
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
Founded in 1889 by the businessman and philanthropist Charles Reed Bishop in memory of his late wife, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop — the last direct descendant of the Kamehameha royal family — it holds the world's largest collection of Polynesian artefacts. The three-storey Hawaiian Hall displays royal feather cloaks, canoes and images of gods, a temple of memory for Native Hawaiian history.
Local customs
- The museum regularly holds hula, ukulele and traditional voyaging talks, and local schools often bring students for 'culture classes'
- the planetarium's star-navigation shows recreate the Polynesian art of crossing the ocean by the stars.
Religion & beliefs
- The museum holds ancient Hawaiian images of gods and ritual objects
- visit with reverence. The modern Native Hawaiian cultural renaissance regards it as a spiritual landmark.
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Rules that apply here
Driving in the US: what to do when police pull you over
- Signal right and pull over safely to the right
- Roll down your window after stopping, before the officer reaches you
- At night, turn on the interior light
- Keep both hands on the wheel and ask passengers to keep their hands visible too
- Getting out and walking towards the police car
- Suddenly reaching for the glovebox, a pocket or under the seat
Sudden movements may be read as a threat and become dangerous. The wording of the rules varies slightly between states.
Not yet verifiedSource: Texas Department of Public Safety driver handbook
Don’t DON'T
- Don't use flash in the galleries (follow signs on site)
- be respectful around images of gods and ritual objects, and don't be noisy or play around.
Locals appreciate DO
Local families like to bring their children to weekend workshops to learn weaving and traditional songs.
Plan your visit
Practical info
Travel tips
- Check tickets on the official website and allow half a day
- it is in Kalihi, Honolulu, and easy to combine with city sightseeing
- guided-tour times are listed online.
Eat nearby
What to eat nearby
Must-try
- Poke bowl
- Loco Moco
- Kalua pork
Poke (tuna marinated in soy over rice), loco moco (rice, hamburger patty, fried egg and gravy), kalua pork (slow-roasted in an earth oven), Spam musubi (Spam rice blocks), shave ice
| Where to eat | Simple meals at the museum café, local restaurants on Kapahulu Avenue in Honolulu, Ala Moana / Chinatown markets |
|---|---|
| Dining etiquette | No eating or drinking in the galleries; be respectful in the Native Hawaiian galleries and don't touch the exhibits |
| Typical price per person | USD 18–32 ≈ CNY 128–227 |
| Tips | The museum only has simple meals; for a proper meal, go to Kapahulu Avenue for a Hawaiian plate lunch. |
Prices are typical rates as of October 2026, not exact quotes; CNY equivalents are approximate where exchange rates fluctuate.
Andy Li · CC0
Photos
Photos
Mark Miller · CC BY-SA 4.0
Joel Bradshaw · Public domain
Joel Bradshaw · Public domain
Sources & verification notes
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