Bishop Museum August 2023 – Exhibitions, Public Programs, and Events

Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum shares its August 2023 exhibitions, public programs, and events. A full and continually updated listing can be found on the Museum's website, BishopMuseum.org. For more information on any of the items listed herein, please contact Lance Aquino with Stryker Weiner & Yokota Public Relations, Inc.

August sees the return of the beloved Moonlight Mele concert series to Bishop Museum's Great Lawn, headlined by multi-Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winners the Mākaha Sons! Plus, Bishop Museum's popular online auction, E Ulu A Paʻa, returns with dozens of one-of-a-kind treasures and unique Bishop Museum experiences up for bid.

August 2023

• Continuing through Oct. 29, 2023 | ExhibitionOla Ka Noʻeau: Excellence in Hawaiian ArtistryJ. M. Long GalleryIncluded with Museum admission. Free for Bishop Museum Members.Ola Ka Noʻeau: Excellence in Hawaiian Artistry, presented in partnership with the PAʻI Foundation's Maoli Arts Movement (MAMo) initiative, explores genealogies of Hawaiian artistry. The exhibition spotlights 13 cultural stewards across six disciplines represented by a senior and junior practitioner pairing, each having devoted their lives to the preservation and vitality of their respective art forms.
• Continuing through Aug. 20, 2023 | ExhibitBackyard AdventuresCastle Memorial BuildingIncluded with Museum admission. Free for Bishop Museum Members.Backyard Adventures is an interactive science exhibit that engages guests with the wonders that can be found in their own backyards. It inspires the next generation of citizen scientists while emphasizing the importance — and fun — of outdoor activity and exploration with activities such as riding on the back of a bee and backyard-themed mini golf.
• Ongoing | ExhibitLalo: Science and Conservation in the Northwestern Hawaiian IslandsScience Adventure CenterIncluded with Museum admission. Free for Bishop Museum Members.Lalo: Science and Conservation in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands tells the cultural and scientific significance of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM) as the kūpuna islands of Hawaiʻi. The exhibit features "The Ongoing Legacy of Coral Reef Exploration," "The Lalo Plastic Story," as well as 2D and 3D digital experiences that allow visitors to view terrestrial and underwater scenes and experience them as a series of immersive storylines about PMNM.
• Ongoing | DisplayTwo Hawaiian Olympic Champions. The First and the Latest.Gulab and Indru Watumull AtriumIncluded with Museum admission. Free for Bishop Museum Members.Two Hawaiian Olympic Champions. The First and the Latest juxtaposes Duke Paoa Kahanamoku and Carissa Kainani Moore, celebrating two individuals living 100 years apart yet sharing the same story — one of respect and aloha for Hawaiʻi and the world. The installation honors the two Native Hawaiian Olympic Gold Medalists.
• Ongoing | InstallationsCampus MuralsThroughout the Museum campus.Included with Museum admission. Free for Bishop Museum Members.Bishop Museum's outdoor murals provide an immersive art experience that bridges traditional culture, creative expression, and indigenous perspectives. The initial round of murals was completed in 2021 in conjunction with the special exhibit POW! WOW! The First Decade: From Hawaiʻi to the World, and was expanded in May 2023 during the Hawaiʻi Walls Mural Festival in Kalihi. The additional murals were inspired by the Kalihi community, local histories, and Bishop Museum's cultural and scientific collections and resources.
• Ongoing | Community Partner InstallationParley AIR Station HawaiʻiGreat LawnFree.Bishop Museum hosts Parley for the Oceans' installation, Parley AIR Station Hawaiʻi, a collaborative community hub dedicated to inspiring and empowering a new generation of ocean ambassadors. This concept is realized in three key pillars of action — Avoid, Intercept, and Redesign. The Parley AIR Station Hawaiʻi is an invitation to take a role in the movement for ocean solutions.
• Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023, 6-7:30 p.m. | Public ProgramPlanting and Growing Hawaiian Gourds Presentation with Bruce Kaʻimiloa ChrismanGulab & Indru Watumull Atrium of Hawaiian HallRegistration is required. $5 registration fee includes admission to the Ola Ka Noʻeau: Excellence in Hawaiian Artistry exhibition in the J.M. Long Gallery.Learn about the art of Hawaiian ipu painting and what is needed to grow Native Hawaiian gourds here in Hawaiʻi in this thorough overview presentation by Bruce Kaʻimiloa Chrisman.This Living Culture presentation is part of the Ola Ka Noʻeau: Excellence in Hawaiian Artistry public programming.
• Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023, 6-7:30 p.m. | Public ProgramIpu Pāwehe Presentation with Bruce Kaʻimiloa ChrismanGulab & Indru Watumull Atrium of Hawaiian HallRegistration is required. $5 registration fee includes admission to the Ola Ka Noʻeau: Excellence in Hawaiian Artistry exhibition in the J.M. Long Gallery.Learn about the art and process of ipu pāwehe (Hawaiian decorated gourds) in this overview presentation by Bruce Kaʻimiloa Chrisman.This Living Culture presentation is part of the Ola Ka Noʻeau: Excellence in Hawaiian Artistry public programming.
• Friday, Aug. 4, 2023, 6-7:30 p.m. | Public ProgramIpu Heke Presentation with Bruce Kaʻimiloa ChrismanGulab & Indru Watumull Atrium of Hawaiian HallRegistration is required. $5 registration fee includes admission to the Ola Ka Noʻeau: Excellence in Hawaiian Artistry exhibition in the J.M. Long Gallery.Bruce Kaʻimiloa Chrisman presents an in-depth look at the traditional making of Hawaiʻi's unique two and three-piece ipu heke (hula gourd drums). Learn about which gourds to choose, how to tell true Hawaiian gourd seeds from others, and how to identify gourds.This Living Culture presentation is part of the Ola Ka Noʻeau: Excellence in Hawaiian Artistry public programming.
• Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023, 10-11 a.m. | Public ProgramArtist Talk Story: Bruce Kaʻimiloa Chrisman & Momi GreeneGulab & Indru Watumull Atrium of Hawaiian HallIncluded with Museum admission. Free for Bishop Museum Members.Bruce Kaʻimiloa Chrisman and Momi Greene share stories behind their work in growing Native Hawaiian gourds and creating ipu pāwehe (Hawaiian decorated gourds). They'll also discuss key themes in the Ola Ka Noʻeau: Excellence in Hawaiian Artistry exhibition in a moderated conversation.This Living Culture presentation is part of the Ola Ka Noʻeau: Excellence in Hawaiian Artistry public programming.
• Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023, 2-4 p.m. | Public ProgramIpu Growing & Ipu Pāwehe Presentations (Advanced Class) with Bruce Kaʻimiloa ChrismanPākī Conference RoomRegistration is required. $10 registration fee includes Museum admission.Bruce Kaʻimiloa Chrisman presents an in-depth session on growing Hawaiian ipu and the unique art of ipu pāwehe. This advanced class allows participants to explore strategies for successfully growing Native Hawaiian ipu and producing traditional ipu pāwehe decoration using natural, unheated Hawaiian dyes. This class is for individuals who have some experience in growing and/or decorating ipu, and for those interested in dedicating themselves to growing ipu and practicing ipu pāwehe beyond this session.This Living Culture presentation is part of the Ola Ka Noʻeau: Excellence in Hawaiian Artistry public programming.
• Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Pop-up EventCelebrate Hawaiian Honeycreepers DayGulab & Indru Watumull Atrium of Hawaiian HallFree with Museum admission.In honor of the first annual Celebrate Hawaiian Honeycreepers Day, Bishop Museum staff and partner organization Birds Not Mosquitos host a pop-up about Hawaiʻi's endemic forest birds and how to protect them. See life-sized Honeycreeper sculptures created by master craftsman Haruo Uchiyama, and take part in hands-on activities on how to save Hawaiian Honeycreeper habitats.
• Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, 5-9 p.m. HST | EventMoonlight MeleGreat Lawn$30 general admission. 20% discount for Bishop Museum Members.Bishop Museum, in partnership with Ha Ka Entertainment, is excited to celebrate the return of a beloved concert series to its Great Lawn. Enjoy memorable performances by some of Hawaiʻi's most talented musicians under a starry night sky and in the cool, fresh air of Kaiwiʻula.The Friday, August 11 Moonlight Mele concert will be headlined by the Mākaha Sons, and will also feature Liam Moleta, Ei Nei, Darren Benitez, and Mark Yamanaka.
• Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 12-13, 2023, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Public ProgramLei Hulu Kāmoe Workshops with Kawika Lum-NelmidaGulab & Indru Watumull Atrium of Hawaiian HallCapacity is limited, and registration is required. $60 registration fee includes two workshops and materials.Learn to make Lei Hulu Kāmoe, a traditional style of feather lei, by participating in this two-session workshop taught by featured artist and hulu practitioner Kumu Kawika Lum-Nelmida. No prior experience is necessary.This is a two-session workshop. Participants are committed to attending both sessions: Aug. 12 and 13.This Living Culture workshop is part of the Ola Ka Noʻeau: Excellence in Hawaiian Artistry public programming.
• Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Public ProgramKōkō Pūʻalu Workshop with ʻUmi KaiFlanders LawnCapacity is limited, and registration is required. $35 registration fee includes materials.Learn to make a kōkō pūʻalu (plain netted carrier) with ʻŌlohe ʻUmi Kai. Learn knotting techniques for making nets for carrying or covering items. No prior experience is necessary.This Living Culture workshop is part of the Ola Ka Noʻeau: Excellence in Hawaiian Artistry public programming.
• Aug. 16-27, 2023 | FundraiserE Ulu A PaʻaOnline AuctionBishop Museum's popular online auction, E Ulu A Paʻa, returns in August with dozens of one-of-a-kind treasures and unique Bishop Museum Experiences up for bid. The auction will be accessible at BishopMuseum.org/EUluAPaa.
• Sunday, Aug 20, 2023, 9:30 a.m.-Noon | Public ProgramNā Lei Hala with Ipolani VaughanHale IkehuCapacity is limited, and registration is required. $120 registration fee includes four workshops and materials.Learn the basic skills of lau hala weaving with Kumu Ipolani Vaughan and create a flask sleeve for a 32 oz. water bottle using natural and colored lau.This is part three of a four-session workshop. Participants are committed to attending all four sessions: June 25, July 30, Aug. 20, and Oct. 22, 2023.This Living Culture workshop is part of the Ola Ka Noʻeau: Excellence in Hawaiian Artistry public programming.

Bishop Museum also holds Daily Programs for all guests, as well as in-person J. Watumull Planetarium shows. Its Signature Galleries include its Hawaiian Hall, Pacific Hall, Picture Gallery, Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kāhili Room, Nā Ulu Kaiwiʻula Native Hawaiian Garden, Richard T. Mamiya Science Adventure Center, and Campus Murals. For more information, please visit BishopMuseum.org.