Hawaii is well known for its beaches, water sports and sightseeing opportunities. Although monuments and museums might not be the first attractions that come to mind when thinking of the state, Hawaii is rich in history and diverse culture. Multiple museums and monuments honor that history and educate and enlighten visitors.
One of the largest marine conservation areas on earth, the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument is a cluster of low-lying islands and atolls spanning 139,797 square miles in the Pacific Ocean in Northwest Hawaii.
The monument, which was established by a presidential proclamation on June 15, 2006, contains extensive coral reefs and lagoons, as well as more than 7,000 marine species, many of which can only be found in the Hawaiian Archipelago.
Additionally, the islands Nihoa and Makumanamana are home to archaeological remains from pre-European settlement. The monument has been designated as an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Located in Honolulu, The Contemporary Museum is Hawaii’s only museum dedicated exclusively to contemporary art. Displaying provocative and inventive forms of visual art, the museum gives visitors a chance to discover significant pieces created since 1940.
Exhibitions run the gamut, but museum curators aim to strike a balance between media, aesthetics, established and emerging artists, and geographic origin. The museum has two sites: in downtown Honolulu at the First Hawaiian Center and at the historic Cooke-Spalding house, which also includes scenic gardens for visitors to wander.
The Mission Houses Museum, a National Historic Landmark in Honolulu, was established in 1923 by the Hawaiian Mission Children’s Society, a genealogical society and nonprofit organization. The museum includes three mission houses that were the homes of the first Christian missionaries to live in Hawaii.
Built in 1821, the Frame House is the oldest of the three and was used as a gathering place for missionaries on the island. The Chamberlain House was built 10 years later and was named after Levi Chamberlain, the first secular agent in Hawaii. The home was made out of coral reef blocks, which were cut from an ocean reef and then dried in the sun.
The final home, the Printing Office, was built in 1841, and contained the first printing press in the state. It was here that Protestant missionaries produced numerous books and pamphlets.
The Captain Cook Memorial is located on the Ka’awaloa shoreline on Ka’awaloa Bay. The monument honors Captain James Cook, who arrived on the shores of the Ka’awaloa Bay in January 1779. He was the first European to establish contact with native Hawaiians, and created detailed navigational maps for future explorers to find the island.
The monument is only accessible by a rugged foot trail or kayak. The white obelisk was erected in 1874, and a water-covered plaque marks the exact spot of Cook’s death.
