British Museum to highlight Hawaiian culture in new exhibition

Trustees of the British Museum Sketches of a young Hawaiian man and women in fine 19th century clothing. On the left is the king wearing a dark grey military style jacket. He has short wavy hair and is posing, looking slightly upwards. The Queen is wearing a white plumed headdress and a square-necked white dress with fine ruffled neckline, puffed sleeved and the dress gathers in at the waistband and flares out in pleats. Her hair is gathered and you can only see some of her curled hair around her forehead and she wears earrings. — Portaits of Hawaiian King Liholihoand Queen Kamāmalu, created in 1824

The first visit of Hawaiian royals to London two centuries ago will feature in a new exhibit at the British Museum.

Hawai’i: A Kingdom Crossing Oceans is a “dazzling celebration of the rich artistry of Hawaiian makers, past present and future”, according to the museum.

The exhibition, which opens in January, will commemorate more than 200 years since the visit of Hawaiian King Liholiho and Queen Kamāmalu to London in 1824 when the royal delegation were seeking an alliance and protection from the Crown.

This journey to the capital included a visit to the British Museum – the first record of Native Hawaiian royals at the museum.

This feathered cloak was sent from Hawaii to King George III in 1810

Royal Collection Enterprises Ltd A 19th century yellow and red cloak made from feathers. It has an simple diamond shaped pattern and a yellow border. The feathers have fallen away in parts of the cloak. — This feathered cloak was sent from Hawaii to King George III in 1810

The exhibition will feature around 150 objects and artworks including many never seen in the UK.

Among the highlights is an ahu ʻula, a feathered cloak sent in 1810 by the first king of unified Hawaiʻi, Kamehameha I, to King George III.

Lent by King Charles III from the Royal Collection, the cloak will be on display for the first time in over 100 years, alongside the Hawaiian king’s original letter requesting support and protection from the British Crown.

This 9ft (2.7m) statue of a Hawaiian god will be placed in the Great Court

Trustees of the British Museum A wooden sculpture of a human-like figure wearing a large helmet that covers the face and extends at the back to the floor. Is it wearing a white loin cloth. — This 9ft (2.7m) statue of a Hawaiian god will be placed in the Great Court

Visitors to the museum will be greeted on the stairs of the Great Court by a nine-foot (2.7m) image of the god Kū, the god of warfare and governance, dressed with a contemporary loincloth and standing atop a pole rediscovered inside a historical plinth.

A finely carved drum accompanied by an ancient chant recounting early Polynesian migrations to Hawaii will feature alongside a bowl with figure, recently returned from loan to Hawaii’s Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, that represents movements of people and objects between the Pacific and the UK.

The Anglo-Franco proclamation of 1843, on loan from The National Archives, highlights the UK and France’s formal recognition of Hawaii’s independence and emphasises diplomatic bonds between the nations.

Umeke ki’i (bowl with figure) is among the exhibits on display

Trustees of the British Museum Two carved wooden bowls linked by a carved wooden human figure. — Umeke ki’i (bowl with figure) is among the exhibits on display

The creation of the exhibition involved “the meticulous conservation of ancestral treasures and the inclusion of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (the Hawaiian language) throughout the space”, the British Museum said.

Dr Alice Christophe, head of Oceania at the museum, said the exhibit is a tribute to Native Hawaiian makers, past and present.

She added: “It tells the story of the deep and layered relationship between Hawaii and the United Kingdom, reflecting on care, sovereignty and the complexity of allyship.

“We hope this show will spark conversations and uplift people in the archipelago and beyond.”

The exhibition will run from 15 January to 25 May 2026.

‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’

‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.bbc.com ’