In the room
The experience
The Bishop Museum's Hawaiian Hall is a three-storey 1889 Romanesque-revival building constructed from local lava-stone, the most-considered space dedicated to Polynesian material culture anywhere. The interior is lined with koa-wood display cases worth more than the original building. A full-size sperm-whale skeleton is suspended over the central gallery and acts as an unintended acoustic baffle. Monthly Hawaiian-music nights host kani ka pila (slack-key) sessions among the artefacts. Late afternoon, when the gallery skylight lights the koa cases warm, is the room's photographed peak.
Insider tip
Walk in knowing
Late afternoon for the skylight on the koa cases. Monthly Hawaiian-music nights are programmed irregularly; check the museum's events calendar.
Why it fits
Why it is in the atlas
A 19th-century hall built specifically to house Polynesian material culture, used today as a living venue.
Plan the trip
When to go, hours, getting there
Best time to go
Monthly Hawaiian-music nights at Hawaiian Hall (third Friday typically). The Bishop Museum's Festival of Pacific Arts programming runs in February-March. Daily admission for the museum itself.
Hours
Museum daily 09:00 to 17:00. Closed Christmas Day. Hawaiian Hall music nights monthly, 18:00 to 21:00.
Getting there
From Waikiki, 20 minutes by taxi north-west to Kalihi. TheBus route 2 from Waikiki to Kapalama Loop, then ten-minute walk. From Honolulu airport, 15 minutes by taxi.
Straight from the source
Official site and tickets
Dates and tickets come from the venue itself. Opens bishopmuseum.org in a new tab.
FAQ
Questions people ask
Where is Bishop Museum (Hawaiian Hall)?
Bishop Museum (Hawaiian Hall) is in Honolulu, Hawai'i, United States. Coordinates: 21.3325, -157.8717.
What kind of music is at Bishop Museum (Hawaiian Hall)?
Bishop Museum (Hawaiian Hall) programmes Hawaiian Traditional, Slack-key Guitar, Chant. 1889 Romanesque-revival hall built from local lava-stone. Three storeys of prized koa-wood display cases, a full-size sperm-whale skeleton suspended overhead. Kani ka pila slack-key sessions among the artefacts.
When is the best time to visit Bishop Museum (Hawaiian Hall)?
Monthly Hawaiian-music nights at Hawaiian Hall (third Friday typically). The Bishop Museum's Festival of Pacific Arts programming runs in February-March. Daily admission for the museum itself.
How do I get to Bishop Museum (Hawaiian Hall)?
From Waikiki, 20 minutes by taxi north-west to Kalihi. TheBus route 2 from Waikiki to Kapalama Loop, then ten-minute walk. From Honolulu airport, 15 minutes by taxi.
Why is Bishop Museum (Hawaiian Hall) in the Sonic Paths atlas?
A 19th-century hall built specifically to house Polynesian material culture, used today as a living venue.
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