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Founded in 1889 by Chareles Reed Bishop as a memorial to his beloved wife, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the Bishop Museum's mission is to record, preserve, and tell the stories of Hawai`i and the Pacific. These stories, shared through a broad network of public learning centers, are presented through use of the collections, research, information, educational programs, and publications. World renowned for its comprehensive natural and cultural history collections, it is the personal possessions of Hawaii's ruling monarchs which comprise the museum's core collection, inform its scholarship and inspire its efforts. "The last and best of the Kamehamehas," Pauahi was born in1831 to High Chief Abner Päkï and High Chiefess Laura Konia. She was the great granddaughter of Kamehameha the Great. In 1950, she wed Charles Reed Bishop of Glen Falls, New York, and their home became the center of musical, literary, and social life in Honolulu. Pauahi was active in the Hawaiian community, teaching children to read and write, nursing the sick, visiting the old, and encouraging those weak in spirit. In 1872, Pauahi declined King Kamehameha V's request to become his successor to the thrown, preferring instead to serve her people in a more humble fashion. In 1875 and 1876, Pauahi and Bishop traveled throughout North America and Europe, visiting many fine museums. She hoped someday to have such a fine establishment for her own people. Sadly, the impetus for such a museum would come with the passing of the three last high-ranking female ali`i, Ruth Ke`elikölani, Pauahi Bishop and Emma Kaleleonälani, whose deaths left their chiefly possessions in the care of Charles Reed Bishop. Soon after the death of Pauahi in 1884, he fulfilled the dream shared by his late wife and Queen Emma by establishing a museum to preserve the treasures of the Kamehameha line.  Other
royals, Queen Lili'uokalani, Queen Kapi'olani, Princess Ka'iulani and Lucy Henriques
also had their formidable collections accessioned to the museum. Collectively,
this effort is recognized as one of the most significant gifts left by these monarchs,
a place for kama'äina and malihini alike, to come and enjoy a museum intended
to instruct and delight every visitor, and be touched by the spirit of our Hawaiian
ancestors. Today, Bishop Museum serves hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, who come to share our extensive collections of cultural and natural history, to participate in our numerous educational and public programs, and to celebrate the enduring legacy left by Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. Manomano ka `ikena o ke akeakamai 1Excerpted from Kaulana `O Kaiwi`ula (Famous is Kaiwi`ula) written by Charles Manu Boyd, December 19, 1993. |
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