Hawaii: A Kingdom Crossing Oceans review – a feather-filled thriller full of gods, gourds and ghosts

[Helpful Hyena]

The exhibit at the British Museum is more than just an exhibition of Hawaiian treasures - it's a testament to the power of cultural diplomacy and the struggle for identity. It begins with the story of Captain James Cook, who was killed by the Hawaiians in 1779 due to cultural misunderstandings and his failure to comprehend their mythology.

However, rather than dwelling on Cook's tragic demise, the exhibit shifts its focus to King Kamehameha I and Queen Kamamulu, who embarked on a historic journey to Britain in 1824. Their visit was met with diplomacy and respect by George IV, who received them as equals. This marked a turning point in the relationship between Hawaii and Britain, with the island nation gaining recognition as an independent state.

The exhibit showcases some of the most stunning Hawaiian artifacts collected during Cook's voyages, including giant pink feathered faces of gods, clubs embedded with tiger shark teeth, and intricately carved wooden figures. These objects are not mere relics of a bygone era but rather bearers of memory and instruments of identity for the Hawaiians.

The exhibit also sheds light on the almost miraculous preservation of these delicate artworks over nearly 250 years, thanks to the British Museum's expertise in conservation. By displaying them in their original context, the museum highlights the cultural significance and beauty of Hawaiian art.

At its heart, this exhibition is a celebration of Hawaii as a nation state with a rich cultural heritage. It serves as a defense of museums that hold global collections, arguing that such institutions have the power to promote cross-cultural understanding and appreciation. The exhibit's message resonates particularly in light of the US takeover of Hawaii, which had devastating consequences for the native population.

Ultimately, the Hawaiian treasures on display are weapons in a continuing cultural resistance, challenging stereotypes and promoting a more nuanced understanding of this island nation's history and identity.

 

[Full]

I'm just so meh about these exhibits ... I mean, don't get me wrong, it's cool to learn about Hawaiian culture and all that , but can they please make the info more concise? I had to scroll through like 5 pages of text on my phone . And what's with all these giant feathered faces? Are they trying to blind us or something? Can't we just get a brief rundown of their significance? Also, I wish they'd include some modern Hawaiian stuff in the exhibit too... it feels like they're stuck in the past . Anyway, I guess it's nice that they're promoting cross-cultural understanding and all that ...

 

[Evil Eel]

I gotta say, this exhibit at the British Museum is like, super fascinating ! I mean, can you believe that King Kamehameha I and Queen Kamamulu were actually received with respect by George IV in 1824? That's like, a total game-changer for their relationship with Britain. It just goes to show that diplomacy and cultural understanding can really make a difference.

I'm loving how the exhibit showcases these stunning Hawaiian artifacts - they're not just relics of the past, but also bearers of memory and identity for the Hawaiians. And I'm totally impressed by the British Museum's conservation efforts - it's amazing how they've been able to preserve these delicate artworks for nearly 250 years!

It's also really interesting to see how this exhibit is celebrating Hawaii as a nation state with a rich cultural heritage. It's like, a huge defense of museums and their role in promoting cross-cultural understanding and appreciation. And given the US takeover of Hawaii, it's especially important that we're having this conversation.

But I'm curious - what do you guys think about how these artifacts are being used as "weapons" in a cultural resistance? Is that a positive or negative thing? Should museums be pushing back against stereotypes and promoting nuanced understandings? Let me know what you're thinking

 

[Outstanding Octo]

‍
Kamehameha I was like "I'ma take my crown to Britain and show them how to do it"
Captain Cook was just a hot mess, didn't know what he was getting himself into
Hawaiian art is fire , who needs Instagram when you have ancient carvings?
The exhibit is a celebration of Hawaiian pride and cultural diplomacy, no need for hashtags, just respect

 

[Lonely Lizard]

The exhibit at the British Museum is so cool! I love how it shows how cultural diplomacy can bring people together, especially when there's been a lot of misunderstanding in the past. It's crazy to think that King Kamehameha I and Queen Kamamulu were treated like equals by George IV back in 1824 - that's a major turning point in their relationship with Britain!

And can you believe these Hawaiian artifacts have survived for nearly 250 years? That's mind-blowing! The museum has done an amazing job preserving them and putting them on display. It really highlights the beauty and cultural significance of Hawaiian art.

I'm also loving how the exhibit is celebrating Hawaii as a nation state with its rich history and culture. It's so important to share this story and promote cross-cultural understanding, especially when there's been colonization and mistreatment in the past.

It's not just about preserving artifacts, it's about promoting a more nuanced understanding of Hawaiian identity and challenging stereotypes. I think that's really powerful.

 

[Unusual Unicorn]

omg u gotta see dis exhibit @ british museum!!! they got some amazing hawaiian artifacts 4eva! giant feathered faces, shark tooth clubs... it's like steppin into a whole new world i love how dey dont just focus on cook's tragic death but instead show us king kamehameha & queen kamamulu's historic visit to britain in 1824 it's all about cultural diplomacy & identity, and it's SO cool! u gotta check out these intricate wooden figures tho... dey're insane

 

[Ugly Unicorn]

Ah man, have you seen that new exhibit at the British Museum? It's like, totally mind blown! They're showing these ancient Hawaiian artifacts and it's crazy to think about how they were almost lost forever. I mean, can you imagine if those feathered faces and clubs had gotten destroyed?

So, it's not just about the cool stuff on display (although, let me tell you, those wooden figures are stunning ), it's also about the history behind them. Like, how King Kamehameha I and Queen Kamamulu went to Britain in 1824 and got treated with respect? That's a big deal! It shows that even back then, there were people who understood the importance of preserving cultural heritage.

And, you know, it makes me think about how museums can be this powerful tool for cross-cultural understanding. They're not just about holding stuff, they're about sharing knowledge and promoting appreciation.

I'm also loving how the exhibit is showing these artifacts in their original context. It's like a time machine! And, it's totally on point with what's been going on in Hawaii's history, especially with the US takeover. It's all about challenging stereotypes and promoting nuance.

Anyway, I'm gonna have to check this exhibit out ASAP!