Bishop Museum and Planetarium

Located in Honolulu, Hawaii, Bernice Pauhai Bishop Museum was a native Hawaiian and daughter of a high chief who married businessman and philanthropist, Charles Bishop. Her estate was the largest private land ownership in the 1800's, with revenues used to build and maintain schools for the native children. Upon her death, Charles founded the museum in her honor.

The Bishop Museum presents a tribute to the history of the Hawaiian people, with artifacts and exhibits that honor the culture of Hawaii and the surrounding Polynesian Pacific. Four of the museum's buildings are original structures built during the 1890's out of lava rock, with the interior walls carved and constructed from koa wood, and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Guided tours are available at scheduled times, as well as hula shows, Hawaiian music, demonstrations of native crafts, garden tours and storytelling around the ancient heritage of the Hawaiian people.

Hawaiian Hall is a state-of-the-art gallery that hosts Hawaiian traditions by featuring the most highly-treasured relics, while the Richard T. Mamiya Science Adventure Center honors the internationally renown Hawaiian native and heart surgeon by hosting the natural wonders of Hawaii and offering an amazing replica of an erupting volcano. This is a particularly thrilling exhibit for kids of all ages.

The J. Watumull Planetarium invites visitors to experience the wonders of Hawaii's night sky through the incredible Chronos II projector on full dome video that recreates the stars and planets with unequaled accuracy. Following the program is a trip to the viewing deck for a look at the planets and constellations in the real night sky, along with a visit to the observatory for telescope viewing. Popular with both locals and visitors, it is recommended to go early, as seats to this event tend to fill up fast!