Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop
Bernice Pauahi Bishop (1831–1884) was the last descendant of the royal Kamehameha dynasty. Her husband, Charles Reed Bishop, founded the museum in her memory.
Royal heirlooms
The museum was built in 1889 to house the royal family heirlooms that had come to Charles Reed Bishop through his wife. It opened to the public in June 1891.
A state museum
Today it is designated the Hawaiʻi State Museum of Natural and Cultural History, caring for collections from across Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.



