WHAT? Hawai‘i: A Kingdom Crossing Oceans
WHERE? British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG WHEN? Now until 25th May 2026
WHY GO? For a voyage of discovery. If Hawaii conjures up images of Elvis in his floral shirts or fond memories of Hawaii Five-O, maybe even Hula dancers wearing ‘lei’ garlands of fragrant flowers, think again. This powerful exhibition tells of the real Hawaii that Captain Cook discovered in 1778 and its links with the UK and it’s full of surprises. Today’s Hawaii might be American but Britain was there first, when Hawaii was named by Cook as the Sandwich Islands. Only the British Museum could own and curate such a vast range of artefacts relating to this tropical paradise, from carved wood sculptures to feather-trimmed finery on cloaks, hats, even royal crowns. Yet a sad saga binds it all together. In 1810 King Kamehameha wrote to George III for help in protecting his country from foreign invasion and his successors, King Liholiho and his Queen, were sent to form an alliance with George IV undertaking a gruelling six-month journey that proved to be fateful. Sadly they both caught measles before the meeting, died and lay in state before the Navy took them back home. This though is the only sad note to what is truly a glorious celebration of Polynesian culture!
IN THE KNOW A poem written for children by contemporary Hawaiian poet Brandy Nalani McDougall provides a fitting finale. The poignant words include, “May there always be refuge, safety within the walls you reach, behind borders under flags, and in your own bodies.” Touching words that resonate today the world over.