Facility Rentals
Bishop Museum’s buildings and grounds are open for special events, which offers a new dimension to the guest experience and allows for the opportunity to explore our treasures. With over eight unique venue spaces and three conference rooms, the Museum is an ideal setting for private or corporate functions, from sit-down dinners and wedding receptions to cocktail parties, incentive galas, lectures, workshops, and campus-wide events.
Events & Meeting Spaces
Atherton Hālau & Bowman Hālau Waʻa
Atherton Hālau & Bowman Hālau Wa’a
One of our most popular spaces, Atherton Hālau is designed in the style of an ancient Hawaiian ventilated hālau, or open-air long house. It is a versatile venue built to take advantage of the ʻŌlauniu winds that circulate through this unique indoor/outdoor space. It has a welcoming grass area in front that is large enough to accommodate a tent space, and its back doors open onto a lānai that overlooks a private garden. Audiovisual equipment allows presentations for larger groups. Atherton Hālau provides the perfect setting to celebrate with family and friends or business associates. The neighboring Bowman Hālau Wa‘a can be rented along with Atherton Hālau to provide additional event space.
Capacity:
130 (theater-style); 180 (reception-style); 120 seated
Amenities:
Private attached kāne and wahine restrooms, electricity, water, and food prep area.
Audiovisual Equipment:
Full-surround speaker system with microphone, auxiliary connection, mixing board, projector, screen, and Wi-Fi.
This traditional A-framed building with a high-peaked ceiling was originally built to shelter the Hawaiʻiloa, the voyaging canoe that sailed alongside Hōkūleʻa. With a moveable 16 x 10-foot stage that lends itself to entertainment opportunities, the covered outdoor venue can be transformed for parties, weddings, or meetings. It can also be combined with the neighboring Atherton Hālau for additional space.
Capacity:
200 (theater-style); 200 (reception-style); 150 (seated)
Amenities:
Private attached kāne and wahine restrooms, electricity, and water.
Audiovisual:
Full-surround speakers system with microphone, auxiliary connection, and Wi-Fi.
Gallery Lawns
Gallery Lawns
The Gallery Lawns are the spaces on either side of the front walk of historic Hawaiian Hall. With a backdrop of the city lights of downtown Honolulu, it is a perfect balance of modern day and times past. This treasured space is a versatile event venue that can be as informal or formal as you wish.
Capacity:
350 (reception-style); 250 (seated)
Amenities:
Water, electricity, scullery sink (as needed), restroom access, and Wi-Fi.
The Great Lawn
The Great Lawn
Our signature event venue, the Great Lawn encompasses three acres of grass-covered lawn and features sweeping views of downtown Honolulu as well as majestic Hawaiian Hall. There is ample space for large weddings, events , festivals, and concerts, and the space’s versatility allows for endless possibilities.
Capacity:
5,000 (concert or festival-style); 1,000 (seated)
Amenities:
Water, electricity, scullery sink (as needed), restroom access, and Wi-Fi.
Hawaiian Courtyard & Gulab & Indru Watumull Atrium
Hawaiian Courtyard & Gulab & Indru Watumull Atrium
The Hawaiian Hall Courtyard is unavailable until February 2025. The Gulab & Indru Watumull Atrium is still available.
Part of the historic Hawaiian Hall Complex, this is a stunning site for entertaining guests. The Atrium boasts a floor-to-ceiling glass wall that looks out onto the Hawaiian Hall Courtyard and is the only place within Bishop Museum’s exhibit halls where food and beverages can be served. The awe-inspiring stone walls paired with koa wood paneling make for an impressive interior that, when combined with the Courtyard, creates a beautiful blend of indoor and outdoor space.
Capacity:
200 (reception-style); 100 (seated)
Amenities:
Water, electricity, restroom access, trash and recycling receptacles, and Wi-Fi.
For an intimate, outdoor experience, the Hawaiian Hall Courtyard provides a tranquil setting with a strong sense of place. Surrounded by lush native plants and festooned with pre-hung lantern lighting, the space provides for a captivating experience. The Portico is a covered area perfect for food and beverage service and spacious enough for a dance floor, making this a turn-key setting. Incorporate Hawaiian Hall Atrium with this space to create an indoor-outdoor venue.
Capacity:
200 (reception-style); 100 (seated)
Amenities:
Water, electricity, restroom access, trash and recycling receptacles, and Wi-Fi.
Part of the historic Hawaiian Hall Complex, this is a stunning site for entertaining guests. The Atrium boasts a floor-to-ceiling glass wall that looks out onto the Hawaiian Hall Courtyard and is the only place within Bishop Museum’s exhibit halls where food and beverages can be served. The awe-inspiring stone walls paired with koa wood paneling make for an impressive interior that, when combined with the Courtyard, creates a beautiful blend of indoor and outdoor space.
Capacity:
200 (reception-style); 100 (seated)
Amenities:
Water, electricity, restroom access, trash and recycling receptacles, and Wi-Fi.
Muriel Flanders Lawn
Muriel Flanders Lawn
Named after a patron of Bishop Museum, this lawn setting is situated in a quiet pocket of the Museum’s campus. The Muriel Flanders Lawn features a historic kiawe tree and is bordered by lush tropical foliage peppered with unique Hawaiian stone artifacts. Situated next to Bishop Hall, the original schoolhouse of the Kamehameha School for Boys, this lawn is the perfect setting for wedding ceremonies, receptions, and smaller gatherings.
Capacity:
200 (reception-style); 100 (ceremony seating); 80 (seated dinner)
Amenities:
Water, electricity, restroom, trash and recycling receptacles, and Wi-Fi.
Hale Ikehu
Hale Ikehu
Hale Ikehu is a plantation-style pavilion set at the edge of our Native Hawaiian Garden, which has native coastal and dry-forest habitats, as well as an array of canoe plants. Featuring energy-efficient lighting and ventilation, this open-air structure is perfect for birthday parties or baby showers. The garden setting creates a unique meeting location or a perfect location to host a lunch.
Capacity:
40 (reception-style); 30 (seated)
Amenities:
Water, electricity, restroom, trash and recycling receptacles, and Wi-Fi.
Pākī Conference Rooms I & II
Pākī Conference Rooms I, II & III
Three private, air-conditioned conference rooms are located on the first floor of the Pākī Building, on either side of the hallway of the Hawai‘i Sports Hall of Fame, and just steps from the upper parking lot. Each room features full meeting capabilities with access to restrooms, Wi-Fi, and audiovisual equipment as needed. These rooms can also be used as bridal suites, green rooms, or event storage.
Capacity:
40 (theater-style); 30 (classroom-style); 25 (conference-table seating).
Amenities:
Tables and chairs, projector and drop-down screen, restroom access, trash and recycling receptacles, and Wi-Fi.
Capacity:
40 (theater-style); 30 (classroom); 25 (conference-table).
Amenities:
Tables and chairs, portable projector and screen (as needed), restroom access, trash and recycling receptacles, and Wi-Fi.
This executive conference room is furnished with a fixed conference table, business-class chairs, TV monitor with laptop hookup capabilities, and conference speaker phone.
Capacity:
10 (conference-table seating)
Amenities:
Tables and chairs, restroom access, trash and recycling receptacles, and Wi-Fi.
Campus-Wide Event
Campus-Wide Event
Situated on 14 acres in Honolulu within the ahupuaʻa of Kapālama, a storied historical district, Bishop Museum and its grounds can host up to 5,000 guests for an experience unlike any other on Oʻahu.
Bishop Museum today boasts world-renowned collections of both Hawaiian and Pacific cultural items as well as fourteen natural science disciplines. Your guests will be able to discover our hidden treasures by exploring exhibit spaces and various venue spaces across our lush campus.
For more information and availability contact us at events@bishopmuseum.org.
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Call 808.848.4127 for more information
Be a Part of Our Story
Celebrate the extraordinary history, culture, and environment of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific with a gift to Bishop Museum. As a partner in the Museum’s work, you can help to sustain vital collections, research, and knowledge, and inspire exploration and discovery with a tax-deductible donation.
