How a 19th-century royal visit to Britain shaped the history of Hawai'i

History · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Join British Museum curators for an inside look at an exhibition exploring Hawai'i's global history. Created alongside the Hawaiian community, the display highlights cultural resilience and the enduring diplomatic ties between the Hawaiian Kingdom and Great Britain, sparked by a royal visit over two centuries ago.

The exhibition commemorates the 1824 arrival of King Liholiho and Queen Kamāmalu in the United Kingdom, where they sought an alliance and protection from the British Crown. This historical moment serves as a lens to examine the complex, long-standing relationship between the two nations.

By centering Indigenous knowledge, the exhibition features a diverse array of items, including traditional feathered cloaks, carved kiʻi deities, and shark-toothed weapons. These artifacts are displayed alongside contemporary works, such as barkcloth by Bernice Akamine, to illustrate a narrative of resilience. The project was developed in collaboration with Native Hawaiian scholars, artists, and practitioners, including the late activist Haunani-Kay Trask, and features loans from the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum and the Royal Collection.

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