Showcasing rarely seen items from Bishop Museum’s Ethnology and Library & Archives collections, this exhibit bridges the gap between the Hawaiian Kingdom and early territorial periods, revealing the resilience and adaptability of Native Hawaiian People. Visitors will see how aliʻi leadership and cultural production continued to thrive. Notable pieces include the 40-foot koa racing canoe commissioned by Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole, alongside embroidered handkerchiefs and campaign ribbons that tell stories of political engagement and advocacy.

Kū a Lanakila! Expressions of Sovereignty in Early Territorial Hawaiʻi, 1900-1920 not only celebrates Hawaiian cultural and political history but also serves as a vital narrative extension of the museum’s Hawaiian Hall, filling in historical gaps and offering new perspectives on the continuity of Native Hawaiian leadership and cultural expression. Whether you are a lifelong learner, museum member, or part of the Native Hawaiian community, this exhibit invites you to reflect on the enduring spirit of Kānaka ʻŌiwi and their contributions to Hawaiʻi’s story.