Hawaiʻi Exhibition: Uncovering Historic Ties at the British Museum
By Darren Smith, Arts Reporter
April 27, 2026
LONDON — More than two centuries after a young Hawaiian king and queen crossed vast oceans to forge ties with Britain, their story resonates anew in a landmark exhibition at the British Museum. Titled Hawaiʻi: a kingdom crossing oceans, the show celebrates the dazzling artistry, resilient history, and enduring global connections of the Hawaiian Kingdom through approximately 150 remarkable objects and contemporary works.
The exhibition, which opened on January 15 and runs through May 25, 2026, marks over 200 years since the ill-fated 1824 journey of King Liholiho (Kamehameha II) and Queen Kamāmalu to London. Accompanied by a royal delegation, the couple sought diplomatic alliances amid rapid change in the Pacific. Tragically, both succumbed to measles shortly after arrival, yet their voyage underscored the complex interplay between Hawaiian sovereignty and European powers.
Curated by Dr. Alice Christophe, Head of Oceania at the British Museum, in close collaboration with Native Hawaiian artists, practitioners, and scholars, the exhibition centers Indigenous knowledge and perspectives. It draws from the British Museum’s extensive Hawaiian collections—one of the largest outside Hawaiʻi—alongside international loans, many displayed publicly for the first time in decades.
Visitors are greeted by a towering kiʻi akua (god image) of Kū, the deity associated with warfare, governance, and prosperity, carved from breadfruit wood. This imposing figure sets the tone for sections exploring the relationship between gods, chiefs, and the land. Highlights include rare ʻahu ʻula (feathered cloaks), symbols of chiefly power crafted from thousands of tiny bird feathers, including one gifted by King Kamehameha I to King George III in 1810 alongside a letter seeking British alliance. Seldom seen for over a century, these vibrant garments demonstrate extraordinary craftsmanship and cultural significance.
Mahiole (feathered helmets) and finely carved wooden deities further illuminate pre-contact Hawaiian spiritual and social worlds. Shark-toothed leiomano weapons speak to both martial prowess and artistic ingenuity, while bark cloth garments and gourds reflect daily life and ritual practices. A standout contemporary piece is the pahu drum Akeanaliʻi, hand-carved by Dennis Kanaʻe Keawe in 2023 and named in honor of the 1824 royal visitors. Accompanied by recorded chants evoking ancient Polynesian voyaging, the drum bridges ancestral traditions with living culture.
The exhibition thoughtfully pairs historic treasures with modern responses. Contemporary Kānaka ʻŌiwi artists such as Lloyd Kumulāʻau Sing and May Haunani Balino-Sing contribute new mahiole and pāpale (hats), created using traditional techniques and donated to the museum. These works dialogue directly with ancestral objects, emphasizing continuity and innovation in Hawaiian artistic practice.
Critics have praised the show as an “epic thriller” and “dazzling celebration.” The Guardian hailed its “miraculous” preservation of delicate featherwork and nuanced retelling of cultural encounters, while The Times and The Telegraph lauded its artistry and innovation. Co-curation with Hawaiian knowledge-bearers ensures respectful, multifaceted storytelling that avoids romanticized tropes and confronts historical complexities, including the impacts of contact and colonialism.
Beyond artifacts, the exhibition explores themes of movement, alliance, and exchange. It traces how Hawaiian leaders navigated relationships with Britain while maintaining sovereignty, a narrative that echoes in today’s discussions of cultural repatriation, Indigenous rights, and global heritage. The accompanying catalogue inventories the British Museum’s full Hawaiian holdings for the first time, serving as a vital scholarly resource.
As final weeks approach, Hawaiʻi: a kingdom crossing oceans offers more than a historical survey—it invites reflection on how Pacific Island nations continue shaping world culture. Through feather, wood, fiber, and sound, the exhibition reveals a kingdom that crossed oceans not merely in pursuit of diplomacy, but in enduring expressions of identity, creativity, and resilience.
Read more about the exhibition here. Explore the curator’s introduction on the British Museum blog. View the full object highlights and large print guide. Learn about related public programs and tickets. Discover the accompanying catalogue from University of Hawaiʻi Press.
Plan your visit to the British Museum before May 25 and experience this powerful celebration of Hawaiian artistry and history for yourself. Share your reflections using #HawaiiCrossingOceans on social media to join the global conversation.
Darren Smith is an arts journalist, practicing artist, and tattooist with 26+ years of experience across traditional, digital, and body art practices. He covers the intersections of craft, culture, and collecting for ArtChain News.
