Bishop Museum to Open New Exhibit in Science Adventure Center: Lele o Nā Manu: The Splendor and Loss of Hawaiʻi’s Birds

Opening during the Museum After Hours event, the exhibit coincides with Makahiki o Nā Manu Nahele, the Year of the Forest Birds, celebrating and raising awareness around Hawaiʻi's Native forest birds.

Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, the State of Hawai'i Museum of Natural and Cultural History, will open a new exhibit in its Richard T. Mamiya Science Adventure Center: Lele o Nā Manu: The Splendor and Loss of Hawaiʻi's Birds opens during the Museum After Hours event on Friday night, July 12, 2024. The exhibit coincides with Makahiki o Nā Manu Nahele, the Year of the Forest Birds, a campaign to celebrate and raise awareness around Hawaiʻi's Native forest birds.

"Lele o Nā Manu: The Splendor and Loss of Hawaiʻi's Birds is an exploration of the remarkable avian fauna that evolved over millions of years in Hawaiʻi, the most isolated chain of islands in the world," said Molly Hagemann, Bishop Museum Vertebrate Zoology collection manager. "The exhibit features 47 exquisite carvings depicting endemic Hawaiian manu nahele (forest birds) by master craftsman Haruo Uchiyama, who spent several weeks examining specimens in Bishop Museum's collections to ensure the carvings were as accurate as possible."

Mr. Uchiyama's complete set of historically-known Hawaiian honeycreepers will be displayed with an original mural painted by local artist Patrick Ching. The exhibit will also include a mural depicting prehistoric Kīpahulu Valley (Maui) painted by Dr. Julian Hume; fossils of extinct bird species; and an interactive game that challenges visitors' knowledge of Native and nonnative animals.

"Mr. Uchiyama contacted me in 2020 and told me about his passion for Hawaiʻi's birds, and his dream of carving an exhibit of birds for Bishop Museum," said artist Patrick Ching. "He asked if I would paint the background for the exhibit when it happens."

"'Hidden Valley 2024' portrays a classic Hawaiian forest with waterfalls, valley walls, a stream and several plants that are used for food and habitat by Native birds. The mural is a backdrop for the Uchiyama carved honeycreepers and is intended to be represent an ideal setting for a wide variety of Hawaiian birds," said Ching.

During the Museum After Hours event on Friday night, July 12, guests can explore the new exhibit, meet local organizations that work to protect our Native birds, enjoy activity booths, as well as take part in moderated panel discussions with the artists and researchers that brought Lele o Nā Manu to life. Panelists include master carver Haruo Uchiyama; mural artists Patrick Ching and Julian Hume; and exhibit co-curators Molly Hagemann, Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute's Rob Fleischer, and Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History's Helen James.

A full line-up of the event can be found on the Museum's website, BishopMuseum.org. Admission is $10 presale online, and $15 at the door.

Bishop Museum expresses its appreciation for its partners and sponsors: the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, and the Asian Pacific American Initiatives Pool, administered by The Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center.