Hawaiʻi
a kingdom crossing oceans

Hawaiʻi: a kingdom crossing oceans was a dazzling celebration of the artistry and history of Hawaiʻi. 

The exhibition brought together remarkable objects – from feathered cloaks worn by chiefs and finely carved deities, to powerful shark-toothed weapons and bold contemporary works by Kānaka ʻŌiwi (Native Hawaiian) artists.

In 1824, the young King Liholiho and Queen Kamāmalu travelled across vast oceans on a journey that would mark a turning point in the history of their kingdom, Hawaiʻi. The exhibition commemorated over 200 years since this ill-fated royal visit and shed light on Hawaiʻi's history and culture through an exploration of the complex and enduring relationship between the Hawaiian and British nations.

Building on years of collaboration with Native Hawaiian artists, practitioners and scholars, the show centred on indigenous knowledge, shining new light on exceptional objects and extraordinary stories. Shaped together with Hawaiian knowledge-bearers, the exhibition showcased seldom-seen international loans alongside the remarkable collections at the British Museum – one of the largest in the world outside of Hawaiʻi.