A fascinating exhibition at the British Museum in London shines new light on Hawai'i's history, artistry and enduring relationship with the United Kingdom.

Display of Akua hulu manu (feathered gods) © The Trustees of the British Museum. Photo by MKH.

The exhibition, which runs from 15 January to 26 May 2026, examines the compelling history of Hawai'i and its long-standing ties with the United Kingdom. Hawai'i: a kingdom crossing oceans is a celebration of the rich artistry of Hawaiian makers, past present and future, the global journeys of Hawaiian royals and leaders, and the enduring resonance of their story in today's world.

Gallery image of Hawai'i: a kingdom crossing oceans © The Trustees of the British Museum. Photo by MKH.

The exhibition commemorates 200 years since a series of events including the visit of Hawaiian King Liholiho (Kamehameha II) and Queen Kamamalu to London with a royal delegation to seek alliance and protection from the Crown. This journey to the capital included a visit to the British Museum – the first record of Native Hawaiian ali'i (chiefs and royals) at the Museum. Building from this moment, which marked a turning point in the shared history of the kingdoms of Hawai'i and the United Kingdom, the exhibition tells a compelling story of movement, allyship and cultural exchange.

Gallery image of Hawai'i: a kingdom crossing oceans © The Trustees of the British Museum. Photo by MKH.

Settled around AD 1000 by skilled Polynesian seafarers navigating by the stars and following the flight of migratory birds, the Hawaiian archipelago is often remembered in the UK as the place where Captain James Cook lost his life during a voyage of exploration in the islands in 1778–79. Hawai'i: a kingdom crossing oceans acknowledges this moment while focusing on movements, stories and voyages initiated from Hawai'i itself.

The exhibition introduces audiences to a remarkable and seldom-seen collection of early Hawaiian treasures combined with striking contemporary works, tracing the journeys that brought these works to London and reflecting on their continued meaning for the people of Hawai'i today. 

‘ahu 'ula (feathered cloak) © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2025 | Royal Collection Trust.

Featuring around 150 extraordinary objects and artworks, including many never seen in the UK, exhibition highlights include a magnificent 'ahu 'ula (feathered cloak) sent in 1810 by the first king of unified Hawai'i, Kamehameha I, to King George III, the largest known example of its kind.

Opening the space and greeting the visitors on the stairs of the Great Court is a powerful, nine-foot ki'i (image) of the god Ku, the god of warfare and governance, dressed with a contemporary loincloth and standing atop a pole rediscovered inside a historical plinth ahead of the exhibition.

Ki'i (image) of the god Ku © The Trustees of the British Museum.

A finely carved drum accompanied by an ancient chant recounting early Polynesian migrations to Hawai'i pulls the visitors into the gallery. Inside, a stunning bowl with figure embodies the continued movements of people and objects between the Pacific and the United Kingdom, while the Anglo-Franco proclamation of 1843, on loan from The National Archives, highlights the UK and France's formal recognition of Hawai'i's independence and emphasises diplomatic bonds between these nations. 

ʻUmeke kiʻi (bowl with figure) © The Trustees of the British Museum.

The making of Hawai'i: a kingdom crossing oceans was developed in partnership with Native Hawaiian knowledge-bearers. The creation of the exhibition involved partners in a holistic manner, from the shaping of the narrative to the design of the gallery, the meticulous conservation of ancestral treasures and the inclusion of 'olelo Hawai'i (Hawaiian language) throughout the space. 

mahiole (helmet) © The Trustees of the British Museum.

Dr Alice Christophe, Curator and Head of Oceania at the British Museum, said: “This co-stewarded exhibition is a tribute to Native Hawaiian makers, past and present. At its core, it tells the story of the deep and layered relationship between Hawai'i and the United Kingdom, reflecting on care, sovereignty and the complexity of allyship. We hope this show will spark conversations and uplift people in the archipelago and beyond.”

Nicholas Cullinan, Director of the British Museum, added: “This extraordinary exhibition not only reveals the beauty and significance of Hawaiian culture, but also highlights the journeys of people, objects and stories across time and oceans, showing how these connections continue to resonate and inspire today.”

If you or your group would like to enjoy a visit to Hawai'i: a kingdom crossing oceans on a tailor-made trip to London, perhaps as part of a dedicated culture tour, please do contact our friendly team today.