Bishop Museum Reopens Hawaiian Hall

After three years of renovation, Bishop Museum reopened the doors of the newly restored Hawaiian Hall complex on Aug. 8. It was Hawaiian Hall’s first renovation since Charles Reed Bishop founded the museum in 1889. A weekend-long celebration was held to mark the occasion.
Built between 1888 and 1903 and chiefly constructed of volcanic stone and native koa, Hawaiian Hall was intended to honor and house the personal collections of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. For more than a century, Hawaiian Hall has housed the museum’s most sacred artifacts, many of which belonged to the alii, Hawaii royalty.
However, through the years, the interior of Hawaiian Hall has deteriorated, necessitating a major renovation. To restore it to its original grandeur and bring it up to modern conservation and accessibility standards, Bishop Museum called on Honolulu architectural firm Mason Architects and museum design firm Ralph Appelbaum Associates. Constructors Hawaii was the general contractor.
Because of modern conservation requirements, the complex could no longer rely on its high windows and skylights for natural light and air, so much of the renovation included new lighting and ventilation systems.
The complex also features a newly enclosed courtyard for orientation and programming. The addition of a courtyard elevator provides access to all floors and exhibits to all museum visitors for the very first time.
Each level of Hawaiian Hall is intended to take visitors on a journey into a different realm. The first floor, Kai Akea, represents the sea; the second floor, Wao Kanaka, represents the realm where people live and work, focusing on the importance of the land and nature in daily life; and the third floor, Wao Lani, represents the mountains. Here visitors will learn about alii and key moments in Hawaiian history.