Creating Hawai‘i at the National Museum of American History
On Display Until March 13, 2011
Creating Hawai‘i opened at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History on August 21, 2009, to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Hawai‘i becoming the 50th state in the union.
Creating Hawai‘i has 3 main subjects. The first case focuses on the perceived Hawai‘i, the iconic imagery of Hawai‘i, including aloha shirts, hula girls, surf boards, and leis. How has the general image of Hawai‘i been influenced by Hollywood, tourism, and sports?
August 21, 2009 – March 13, 2011
Location:
First Floor
National Museum of American History
14th Street and Constitution Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20004
The second case focuses of the realities of Hawai‘i: its “discovery” by Captain Cook and the creation of the monarchy, the rise of a haole oligarchy and a radically new land system and plantation agriculture with new immigration, the impact of American influence and eventual annexation along with Native Hawaiian resistance, the evolution of a “local” society, WWII and the issues around statehood, as well as the growth of tourism and strategic interdependence.
This showcase examines the popular imagery of Hawai‘i, including the exoticism, the distant land, and the paradise. These perceptions are juxtaposed with the reality of Hawai‘i’s long and intimate role within American history through commerce, military significance, and immigration. For example, the exhibition opens with a surfboard donated by a professional woman surfer, as well as an album jacket of Elvis Presley’s “Blue Hawaii,” and an aloha shirt worn on “Hawaii 50.” It also explores Hawai‘i’s journey from early U.S. contact to its current place in American pop culture. But visitors then are shown examples of the development of a new ruling oligarchy and the exploitation of land and natural resources as well as the islands’ strategic location as a key way station in the Pacific (whaling and military bases). The exhibition includes a Hawaiian flag from Queen Liliuokalani’s era and evidence of the native resistance to annexation. It asks the visitors to consider how and why perceptions of hula girls, leis, and Hawaiian shirts dominate our imagination and how these distortions impact the lives of native peoples. The juxtaposition of these contrasting views of Hawai‘i provides a thought-provoking look at the construction of “paradise” and the role we all play in it.
NOTE: The NMAH will have extended hours on the Friday and Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend. The Museum will close at 5:30 on Thursday, November 26; 7:30 p.m. on Friday, November 27; 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 28; and 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 29. Opening time will be 10:00 a.m. every day.
Dear sirs..I own old territorial and Hawaii Times newspaper Articles and Asian-Hawaii Stamps. Would you be interested in these items. They can be seen on Craigslist-photos, dates and titles of newspapers. I have buyers for them but would like to seen them in your museum.. mahalo from Hawaii..
I awoke to the voice of Franklin Ota on radio this morning and learned of the display of Hawaii at the institute. My wife is E. Moanikeala Akaka, past representative to OHA from Hawaii Island, she insists I contact you concerning the 70 plus feet mural I painted of the history of labor in the Islands. It is designed as a teaching device and is accompanied with a teachers’ guide. It may be seen at http://www.tomasbelsky.com click on mural. laminated scrolls of the mural are available sizes four and eight feet. the original is in Hilo at the home of a patron, but not on display. Ah Quon McEllrath tried to find a home for it with the ILWU, to no avail. The mural was noted and funded by the Hawaii Peoplea’ fund.
Moanikeala suggests the episode at Kalama Valley be included in the Smithsonian display.
mahalo tomas belsky
It is good to hear that Hawaii is been part of National Museum of American History.
Nice to be here,
I think it is a good idea, it will be very useful for the next generation to identify their culture and find something about ancient history and etc.
According to the article, the exhibit “asks the visitors to consider how and why perceptions of hula girls, leis, and Hawaiian shirts dominate our imagination and how these distortions impact the lives of native peoples.” Yes, Hawaii is more than these images, but that does not mean that they are “distortions.” I couldn’t even count the number of times I have seen hulas, leis and Hawaiian shirts in the state of Hawaii – many, many, many instances of all of these!! They are parts of the culture.
Anyway, mahalo for the exhibit and the coverage of it.
Nice to be here,
It is good to hear that Hawaii is been part of National Museum
Please contact me ASAP to let me know when the Creating Hawaii display will be ending.
Thank you,
Lori Obispo
I had a chance to view this exhibit late last year. What really and unexpectedly struck me was the deep rich colors. You just don/t see this in the “mainland? I wish there were more pictures posted here of the exhibit.
The National Museum of American History is quite a prestigious place to be held in honor. It’s about time that Hawaii was given a mention!
I wish I could go to the National Museum of American History soon, I rally want to tour in different National Museum to know about their culture, thank you for posting.
Olaha. Our brothers from the South Pacific want to congradulate you.
It is good to hear that Hawaii is been part of National Museum
I’m a proud native Hawaiian and I’ve been studying abroad for the past 3 years. I’ve heard about this display at the Nat’l Museum and my parents were really proud of it. It’s too bad I didn’t have a chance to check it out, it sounds fantastic.
-Josh
Atom Longboard Review
Good to see Hawai being a part of National museum.
Wish I had visited it
It is great to see Hawaii being a part of the National museum.
Great to see Hawaii get some recognition, great post.
I wish I had seen this earlier. I would have like to witness the exhibition.
really amazing exhibition
nice Exhibition…
really amazing 🙂
i will go soon when i get some money 🙂
It is the right thing to do. Hawaii is a great part of history.
Of course Hawaii is deserving to be part of national museum of american history. Because of Pearl Harbor and some great story to tell to other, and a tribute to our WW2 veterans!
Great to know that there is an initiative being taken to drill into people’s consciousness the fact that Hawaii goes beyond holidaying and the legacy of World War 2. That Hawaii has a culture and value set unique to itself, should be emphasized more and more.
This just bought a smile on my face 🙂
It is the right thing to do. Hawaii is a great part of history.
really amazing exhibition
Great exhibition!
Really nice exhibition. Thanks for pics.