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Big Island Attractions & ActivitiesMuseums
If you're a history buff, art aficionado, archaeology fiend, or dabbler in the sciences, our museum picks are perfect for a rainy day or afternoon excursion! Our selections center around notable collections of historical and cultural items. Many have excellent rotating displays in addition to exceptional permanent collections.
Ellison S. Onizuka Space Center
Category: Museums - Big Island Attractions & Activities
Address: Keahole-Kona International Airport, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
For those who’ve always been interested in the mysteries of outer space, this Hawaii museum is a prime locale for you to learn more about the solar system. The center is named after Hawaii's first astronaut who tragically perished in the 1986 Challenger Mission. Some of Onizuka's personal items, a lunar sample, and even an Apollo 13 space suit are...
Kona Historical Society Museum & Greenwell Store
Category: Museums - Big Island Attractions & Activities
Address: 81-6551 Mamalahoa Hwy, Kealakekua, HI 96750
Get your fill of Hawaiian history with this Big Island museum's walking and riding tours. The museum itself is housed in the general store, aptly named after Henry Nicholas Greenwell, the man responsible for this farm and its surplus of coffee, tobacco, corn and other crops. Take a tour of the land, sample the homemade bread, or just enjoy the...
Lyman Mission House and Museum
Category: Museums - Big Island Attractions & Activities
Address: 276 Haili St, Hilo, HI 96720
Get a taste of Hawaiian life as it was 150 years ago at one of the most authentic Big Island museums in the area. Re-opened as a state and national historic place in the 1930s, age-old artifacts, art and specimens of natural history are all kept in the former house of David and Sarah Lyman, early 19th century missionaries. For architecture buffs,...
Category: Museums - Big Island Attractions & Activities
Address: Hwy 270, near Upolu Airport, Hawi, HI 96720
One of the oldest and most sacred Big Island temples, Mo'okini Heiau was built to honor the Hawaiian god of war, Ku, and served as a human sacrificial altar and place of prayer. According to legend, this 1500 year old stone temple was erected by a chain of working men that carried each stone 14 miles to the temple site. Presently, the three-story...
Category: Museums - Big Island Attractions & Activities
Address: 130 Kamehameha Ave, Hilo, HI 96720
Vacationers and locals alike make the Pacific Tsunami Museum an important stop when traveling through Kilo. This Big Island museum has made it its duty to educate the public on safety precautions and practices in case one of these tremendous natural disasters hits again. While you're at this Hilo museum, be sure to take a tour of the historical...
Category: Museums - Big Island Attractions & Activities
Address: 67-1435 Mamalahoa Hwy, Kamuela, HI 96743-8433
Bring the entire family to this Big Island ranch to experience the beautiful local landscape, learn more about the true island cowboys and see a little bit more of Hawaiian history. Horseback and ATV tours are available for adults and children everyday the ranch is open, so hop on and get ready for a real adventure! Tour the Big Island museum of...
Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park
Category: Museums - Big Island Attractions & Activities
Address: Rte 160, Honaunau, HI 96726
The Pu'uhonua O Honaunau is perhaps one of the most unique, and most sacred, Hawaii museums you can find. The 180-acre site was a sanctuary for ancient Hawaiians who’d received death sentences for trespassing or eating forbidden food, for once they stepped foot inside these hallowed grounds, their lives would be spared by the priests. This...
Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site
Category: Museums - Big Island Attractions & Activities
Address: 62-3601 Kawaihae Rd, Kawaihae, HI 96743
Another Big Island temple dedicated to the war gods, Puukohola Heiau means "temple on the Hill of the whale." This is where legendary King Kamehameha sacrificed his mortal enemy, Keoua, thereby uniting all of Hawai’i under one reign. Today, the site acts as an important shrine to Hawaii history and the ancient monarchy. In addition, guests are...
Category: Museums - Big Island Attractions & Activities
Address: Crater Rim Dr, Volcano House Hotel, Volcano, HI 96785
Founded in 1974, the Volcano Art Center is one of the top Big Island museums dedicated to preserving and promoting worldwide awareness of the Hawaiian Islands' rich artistic history. The center hosts a variety of monthly exhibits and art sales that showcase paintings, wood sculptures, baskets, jewelry, and Polynesian-influenced masks. This Big...
