Hawaiian National Museum
Cover Image: Masthead of Ke Au Okoa published on September 5, 1872. (Digitized from microfilm.)
Image: Naniuaola. Large pahu heiau. Part of the Hawaiian Government Collection which came to Bishop Museum in 1891. According to one tradition it was brought from Tahiti by Laʻamaikahiki and kept at Papaʻenaʻena Heiau on the western slope of Diamond Head. When it became the property of King Kamehameha it was said to have traveled with him and was kept in the nearest appropriate heiau. (Pahu and Pūniu, Adrienne L. Kaeppler, p. 11)
Ethnology Collection, Bishop Museum, item no. 06926. Photo by Jesse Stephens, Bishop Museum Archives. Q 216720
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Last week we featured articles dealing with the beginning of Aliʻiōlani Hale. This week we talk about an institution that was located inside of that building, the Hawaiian National Museum. On July 29, 1872, King Kamehameha V signed the following act establishing the Hawaiian National Museum:
Image: “Ma Ke Kauoha,” Ke Au Okoa, September 5, 1872, p. 1. (Digitized from microfilm.)
CHAPTER XXXIII.
AN ACT
To establish a National Museum of Archæology, Literature, Botany, Geology and Natural History of the Hawaiian Islands.
Whereas: We, as a nation, have taken our position among the civilized and enlightened nations of the earth, both in respect to capabilities of self-government, and in the facilities which we enjoy in our high and common schools in the diffusion of popular intelligence: And,
Whereas: A National Museum, representing the Archæology, Literature, Botany, Geology and Natural History of our Kingdom would be but another form of school for the education of our youth, as well as a repository for reference to the scientific world at large: And,
Whereas, every succeeding year is rendering it more difficult to gather from the archives of the past the mementos and relics of our early existence as a Nation, as well as of the pre-historic age of these Islands, therefore:
Be it Enacted by the King and the Legislative Assembly of the Hawaiian Islands in the Legislature Assembly of the Hawaiian Islands in the Legislature of the Kingdom assembled.
Section 1. That the Board of Education be, and are hereby authorized to cause to be established in some suitable Government building, or chamber therein, to be designated and specially set apart therefor by the Minister of Interior, a National Museum in which shall be collected and preserved, all such articles illustrating the Archæology, Literature, Botany, Geology and Natural History of the Kingdom, as my come into its possession from time to time, either by gift or by purchase.
Section 2. The Board of Education is hereby further empowered to frame such rules and regulations in connection with the Museum to be established as herein before mentioned, not in contravention with existing Statutes, as it may deem best adapted to secure its permanency and efficiency as a repository for reference in the various branches of science which may be represented therein, and to cause such rules and regulations to be published for the benefit of the public. It may also employ such means as may be placed at its disposal from time to time, in such a manner as it may deem best to further the objects of this Act.
Approved this 29th of July A. D. 1872
KAMEHAMEHA R.
Naniuaola, the drum brought from Kahiki by Laʻamaikahiki was one of the items in the collection of the National Museum.
Emma Nakuina (curatrix of the National Museum) comments in her “Catalog of Specimens in the Hawaiian Government Museum”—
Naniuaola
The large drum of Kamehameha the 1st. The tradition is that it was brought from Kahiki by Laamaikahiki. It was at first kept in a temple dedicated to the sun which was on the western slopes of Diamond Head and in what is now known as Kapiolani Park. When it fell into the hands of the Great Conqueror, it was by him kept in the Heiau or temple nearest to the place he inhabited and it thus accompanied him from place to place. It was only struck on rare and solemn occasions, such as on the birth of a son to the King or when war or peace was declared.
This post is part of He Aupuni Palapala: Preserving and Digitizing the Hawaiian Language Newspapers, a partnership between Bishop Museum and Awaiaulu with assistance from Kamehameha Schools. Mahalo nui loa to Hawaii Tourism Authority for their support. Learn more about this project here.
