Bishop Museum: Astronomy and Hokule’a

One of the best resource for learning more about native Hawaiian astronomy is the Bishop Museum, located in Honolulu, Hawaii. Curators offer a deep dive into Polynesian navigation and astronomy through its Wayfinding and celestial navigation exhibits. Visitors can explore how ancient Polynesians used the stars, ocean currents, and natural elements to navigate vast distances across the Pacific Ocean, long before modern instruments were developed.

The museum highlights the expertise of Polynesian wayfinders, who relied on their knowledge of the stars (especially the rising and setting of key constellations), the sun, and moon, alongside wave patterns and seabirds, to traverse thousands of miles. The exhibits include interactive displays and artifacts that detail these traditional methods and the resurgence of this cultural practice, notably through the voyages of the Hokulea, a traditional Hawaiian voyaging canoe.

In addition to wayfinding, the museum also delves into broader astronomical topics, offering insights into how Polynesian and modern astronomy intersect, enhancing appreciation for both ancient and contemporary methods of understanding the cosmos. See more.