Hawaiian Bishop Museum gets 1 million dollars

HONOLULU, Hawaii – The Bishop Museum is a must-see for any tourist also interested in Hawaiian culture and history. As the Bishop Museum celebrates its 125th anniversary, Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie today announced the release of $1 million in capital improvement grant funds for the nonprofit institution.

Identified by the state Legislature, these funds will allow the museum to address critical improvements to facilities and infrastructure that are required to ensure the safekeeping of its cultural and biological collections.

“The Bishop Museum’s collections and exhibits have educated millions of its visitors for more than a century,” Gov. Abercrombie said. “These improvements will ensure that future generations will also have a chance to experience Hawaii’s premiere cultural and historical destination.”

Bishop Museum expects the following projects to begin this month and be completed in 2016:

Renovations and repairs to the museum’s main entrance, admissions, and ticket areas at the Jabulka Complex

Complete exterior restoration and painting of the cracking and crumbling cement grill facade of the Pauahi Building, which houses most of the Natural Science Collection

Repairs and replacement of 30-year-old walkways in front and adjacent to Hawaiian Hall due to liability hazards

Installation of a pest eradication freezer room in the Konia Building, allowing the museum’s collection managers to follow best practices in its pest management, which dictate that all artifacts be frozen or fumigated prior to placement in the main collections areas

Installation of compaction shelving and/or collection cabinets in various collections areas in the Pauahi Building

Fire and safety improvements at the Pauahi Building, including the assessment and replacement of piping, sprinklers, sensors and ductwork in order to appropriately address and fire emergency

A review of all buildings and existing fire/safety infrastructure throughout the museum and integration into a central monitoring command center located in the museum’s security office

Founded in 1889, the Bishop Museum is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) dedicated to study, preserve and recount the cultures and natural history of Hawaii and the Pacific. The museum was designated as the Hawaii State Museum of Natural and Cultural History in 1988. With more than 24 million catalogued objects in its cultural and natural collections, the Bishop Museum is among the top five natural history museums in the country and top 10 in the world.​