Hawaii Maritime Centre has been run by the Bishop Museum since 1994. It traces Hawaii’s seafaring past from the colonization by the Polynesians to its rediscovery by Captain Cook to the modern era.

The first section displays objects brought by the great British explorer, the story of his death on the Big Island, the fur trade and sandalwood.

Kamehameha’s unification of the islands is presented in the historical context of the diplomatic manoeuvring between England, Russia, France and the U.S.

The whaling industry is also covered, with exhibits displaying impressive iron try-pots in which fat was boiled, and beautiful pieces of scrimshaw.