The Bishop Museum is a place where you can immerse yourself in Hawaiian culture and history.
It is Hawaii’s largest museum, housing a collection of approximately 25 million items, including works of art, artifacts, documents, and photographs related to Hawaii and the rest of Polynesia.
It is famously known as a grand building established in 1889 by Charles Reed Bishop in memory of his wife, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last direct descendant of the Kamehameha royal family.
Due to its significance, it is also listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
Although it’s located in an area that can be a bit challenging to access, it’s a spot packed with attractions and well worth a visit at least once.
Inside the Bishop Museum
The Bishop Museum is divided into two main parts: the main building and an annex.
The main building is called the Hawaiian Hall, an area that showcases the culture and history of the Hawaiian monarchy, detailing how Polynesians arrived in Hawaii and prospered.
It features a three-story open atrium, with each floor dedicated to a different theme in Hawaiian history.
The sight of life-sized models of whales, sharks, and sea turtles hanging from the ceiling is truly spectacular.
Other areas include the Kahili Room, which features numerous exhibits and documents from the Hawaiian monarchy that history buffs will love; the Long Gallery for special exhibitions; and the Pacific Hall, which displays photographs and exhibits on Oceania as a whole.
In the annex, the exhibits change depending on the season and special events.
Since Hawaii is famous as a filming location for Jurassic Park, dinosaur fairs are held particularly often.
For an additional fee, you can also enjoy several planetarium shows, each lasting from about 25 to 50 minutes.
Another popular attraction is the Science Adventure Center, where you can have unique Hawaiian experiences, such as viewing volcano exhibits and watching a demonstration where rock is melted to create lava (the Lava Melt program).
Japanese-Language Guides at the Bishop Museum
At the Bishop Museum, Japanese-language tours are held only when Japanese-speaking guides are available.
Each tour lasts about 30 minutes and is generally held daily from Monday to Saturday, but they may not be offered on certain days depending on the staff’s schedule.
If you’re interested in a Japanese-language tour, it’s a good idea to inquire by email in advance to confirm the detailed schedule.
Additionally, Japanese audio guides are available for major exhibits, so you won’t have any trouble even on days when a Japanese-speaking guide isn’t present.
Hula Lessons at the Bishop Museum
The hula lesson experience program, held about twice a month, is another event to check out.
It’s a comprehensive program where you can enjoy not only hula but also Hawaiian culture.
What the program includes:
- Museum admission
- Hula lesson
- Japanese-language guided tour (approx. 30 minutes)
- Ti leaf lei making
The dates vary by month, but it seems they are often held on Thursdays.
Since they are not held frequently, be sure to check the date and time in advance if you wish to participate in a hula lesson.
How Much Time to Spend at the Bishop Museum
The amount of time people spend at the Bishop Museum varies greatly.
Exploring the main Hawaiian Hall can take as little as an hour, or up to two hours if you take your time.
To see everything, including the gardens and special exhibitions, it often takes about 3 to 4 hours.
If you want to experience the Japanese-language tour, hula lesson, and planetarium, you might want to plan on spending most of the day there.
For meals, there is a cafe that serves traditional Hawaiian food and sandwiches, which can be convenient for a longer stay.
Bishop Museum General Information
| Name | Bishop Museum |
| Address | 1525 Bernice St, Honolulu, HI 96817 |
| Map | |
| Hours | 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Admission | Adults (18–64): $26.95 (weekdays), $28.95 (weekends, holidays) Seniors (65+): $23.95 (weekdays), $25.95 (weekends, holidays) Youth (4–17): $18.95 (weekdays), $20.95 (weekends, holidays) Children (3 and under): Free |
| Closed | Never |
| Recommended Time | From approx. 1 hour |
| Restrooms | Available |
| Parking | Available (paid) |
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Areas Around the Bishop Museum
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