New British Museum Exhibition Reveals the Real Hawai’i
Beyond beaches and postcards, a powerful new exhibition at the British Museum is revealing the deeper story of Hawaiʻi; one shaped by ocean voyages, diplomacy, and cultural exchange with Britain.
Hawaiʻi: a kingdom crossing oceans marks 200 years since Hawaiian King Liholiho (Kamehameha II) and Queen Kamāmalu travelled to London with a royal delegation seeking alliance with the Crown, a historic visit that included the first recorded appearance of Native Hawaiian royals at the Museum.
Bringing together around 150 remarkable objects, from rarely seen ancestral treasures to striking contemporary works, the exhibition explores Hawaiʻi’s global connections, the journeys of its royals, and the enduring vitality of Native Hawaiian culture today. Highlights include the magnificent feathered cloak gifted by King Kamehameha I to King George III, displayed for the first time in over a century.
Commenting on Hawai’i Tourism Authority’s sponsorship of this extraordinary exhibition, Jadie Goo, Acting Chief Brand Officer said: “It represents a unique opportunity to showcase the depth, dignity, and continuing vitality of Hawaiian culture to European audiences. As we work to attract mindful travellers who seek authentic cultural connections, this collaboration with the British Museum allows us to position Hawaiʻi not simply as a destination, but as a living culture with profound historical ties to Britain and a story that extends far beyond beaches and tourism. In focusing on Native Hawaiian voices, honouring ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (the Hawaiian language) and presenting these ancestral treasures with the care and reverence they deserve, we hope to inspire visitors to approach Hawaiʻi with the same respect and cultural curiosity they will experience in this exhibition – embodying the values of mālama (to care for), and kuleana (responsibility, privilege) that guide responsible travel to our islands.”
The making of Hawaiʻi: a kingdom crossing oceans is grounded in a renewed curatorial approach developed with Native Hawaiian knowledge-bearers. A co-stewarded process, the creation of the exhibition involved community partners in a holistic manner, from the shaping of the narrative to the design of the gallery, the meticulous conservation of ancestral treasures, and the inclusion of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) throughout the space.
Building from years of collaborations through the Benioff Oceania Programme (2020-2024), the show highlights a commitment to transforming and humanising museum practice – a dimension that is made palpable through a trail of content that ʻbreaks the fourth wall’ to offer visitors a glimpse into this collective process. As objects, people and voices gather in the space, the gallery becomes a meeting ground, bringing agency and purpose into view and showing how the stories on display were shaped – stories as relevant today as they were two centuries ago.
Nicholas Cullinan, Director of the British Museum, said: “Hawaiʻi: a kingdom crossing oceans embodies the Museum’s commitment to working with communities to tell shared histories in new ways. This extraordinary exhibition not only reveals the beauty and significance of Hawaiian culture, but also highlights the journeys of people, objects, and stories across time and oceans, showing how these connections continue to resonate and inspire today.”
Hawaiʻi: a kingdom crossing oceans has been running since January and ends 25 May 2026.
For more information, please visit the Hawai’i: a kingdom crossing oceans exhibition webpage: https://www.britishmuseum.org/hawaii
Open Saturday to Thursday 10.00–17.00, Friday 10.00–20.30. Last entry 15 minutes before closing. Early bird tickets available from £14, under-16s free when accompanied by a paying adult, 2-for-1 tickets for students on Fridays, and concessions and group rates available
