I’m not the first to fall in love with Mauna Kea. Sarah Lyman — a missionary who came to Hawai‘i from New England in 1832 — wrote in her journal about the beauty of Mauna Kea when the clouds and rains cleared. You can hear readings of several journal entries in one of the exhibits at the Lyman Museum, not far from the old Hilo waterfront.
The museum has two major galleries. The entrance to the Earth Heritage Gallery on the first floor is a lava tube. Following the yellow footprints on the floor takes you around the gallery, beginning with the formation of the Hawaiian Islands, followed by the arrival of life by wind, waves and wings, and then you journey through the habitats from mauka (mountain) to makai (sea).
The upstairs Island Heritage Gallery is also self-guided and starts with the arrival of the first Polynesian settlers. It is rich with exhibit cases displaying Hawaiian cultural items like stonework, kapa, feather work and drums.
There are exhibits about European explorers, whalers, missionaries, plantations, the monarchy and statehood, and some contemporary oral history recordings. My favorite spot was the music nook, which has recordings from different eras.
Accessibility and cost
Wheelchairs, walking frames and mobility scooters are all allowed, but strollers aren’t. Just carry that mo‘opuna in your arms!
A staff member or docent will happily transport you in a freight elevator if you can’t do stairs. Being taken in that elevator to the restrooms in the basement gets you the added bonus of seeing the archivist at work!
All the entrance fees are less than $10. As a kama‘āina senior, I paid just $3 and spent a wonderful two hours there.
This museum is top-notch — the Smithsonian has accredited Lyman’s gem collection in the top 10 in the nation. And, honestly, I found it far less daunting than the Bishop in Honolulu, but with the same amount of scholarship behind it.
Tip: Call ahead to make a reservation to visit so that you don’t arrive at the same time as a tour group or a school field trip.
LYMAN MUSEUM AND MISSION HOUSE
276 Haili St., Hilo, HI 96720
808-935-5021 | lymanmuseum.org
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