Hawai’i: A Kingdom Crossing Oceans Exhibition at British Museum
British Museum’s new exhibition shines light on the historical relationship between Hawai’i and the United Kingdom. There are 150 artefacts on display including a letter King Kamehameha I sent to King George III, sculptures, weapons made from shark teeth and a feathered cloak worn by chiefs.
@urbanadventurerldn [BLOG POST IN BIO] 𝙃𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙞’𝙞: 𝘼 𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙙𝙤𝙢 𝘾𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙊𝙘𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙨 exhibition at The British Museum British Museum’s new exhibition shines light on the historical relationship between Hawai’i and the United Kingdom 🌺 What to expect: • 150 artefacts including a letter King Kamehameha I sent to King George III • Rare artefacts, sculptures, weapons made from shark teeth and feathered cloaks worn by chiefs • The poignant story of King Kamehameha II and his wife’s ill-fated visit to the UK in 1824 …and more! 📆 15th January – 25th May 2026 🕰️ Open daily from 10am – 5pm (Fridays 8:30pm) 🎟️ Tickets can be booked on British Museum’s official website #hawaii #britishmuseum #historytime #historylovers #CapCut
Hawai’i: A Kingdom Crossing Oceans
Photo: Urban Adventurer
Having been built for years in collaboration with native Hawaiian artists and knowledge-bearers, ‘Hawai’i: A Kingdom Crossing Oceans’ exhibition shines light to the lesser-known side of the relationship between Hawaii and the United Kingdom.
The exhibition showcases over 150 objects, including contemporary artworks made by Hawaiian artists, rarely seen international loans and a fathered cloak with a remarkable story.
An Ill-Fated Royal Visit
Photo: Urban Adventurer
In the 18th century, the presence of foreign powers increased in Hawaii. Chief of Hawaii Islands, Kamehameha I unified the entire archipelago and became the first king of Hawaii.
Kamehameha I was known to be a remarkable strategic leader who nurtured relationships with foreign powers. Hoping for protection from the United Kingdom King Kamehameha I sent a long cloak made from hundreds of thousands of tiny feathers to George III in 1810 with a letter asking for protection against foreign powers.
The gift was received by the Prince Regent due to the king’s mental illness and displayed in Carlton House as a “Curious Feather Coat Sent by King of the Sandwich Islands”.
In return, King Kamehameha I only received vague promise of support and a gold-laced cocked hat.
Years later, King George III and King Kamehameha I died and succeeded by their eldest sons, George IV and Kamehameha II – also known as Liholiho.
LihoLiho sent a letter to George IV but after 3 years passing, he didn’t receive reply. Although, travelling to Hawaii from the UK it takes around 17 hours today, back in the 19th century, it took 2 long years for LihoLiho’s letter to arrive to the United Kingdom.
In 1823 LihoLiho embarked on a journey to the United Kingdom to seek alliance. He travelled with his wife, Kamāmalu (also known as Tamehamalu) and a delegation of 11 people.
Photo: Urban Adventurer
The ship stopped in Rio de Janeiro where King LihoLiho presented another feather cloak to the Births consul resident, Sir Henry Chamberlain.
Tragically LihoLiho and his young queen caught measles shortly after arriving to the United Kingdom and both died before ever had the chance to meet the British king.
Highlights of the Exhibition
Silver and ivory teapot. London, England 1824-25
Photo: Urban Adventurer
Following the tragic death of King LihoLiho (Kamehameha II) and his wife Queen Kamāmalu, their ship went back to Hawaii with the remains of the late king and queen.
Arriving in Honolulu in May 1825, British officials presented gifts to the Hawaiian royal family. This silver teapot was one of them. It was presented to Kuhina Nui (Ka’ahumanu), the wife of the late king Kamehameha I, and regent.
The engraved pot shows the British arms on one side and the name of the recipient on the other.
Charles Josheph Hullmandel (1789 – 1850), after John Hayter, Na Poki, Prime Minister of the Sandwich Islands; and his wife, Liliha. Lithograph, 1824
Photo: Urban Adventurer
This lithograph showcases the Governor of O’ahu and his wife, high chiefess Liliha, as sitting for an official portrait in London. The picture was created during the visit of a Hawaiian royal delegation to London in 1824 to introducing Hawaiian culture and present Hawaiian leader as sovereign figures on the global stage.
They’re both wearing Hawaiian garments, including a feathered cloak and helmet, barkcloth, and whale-tooth necklace.
‘Ahu’ula (cloak), Maui, Hawai’i
Photo: Urban Adventurer
This red and yellow feather cloak was made before 1778. It’s thought to have been the one presented by high chief Kahekili of Maui to British Captain Charles Clerke, who accompanied Captain James Cook on a voyage to Hawai’i between 1778 and 1779.
The cloak is made with millions of tiny bird feathers. The feathers were carefully harvested without killing the birds.
Mahiole hulu manu (feathered helmets), ‘ie’ie rootlet, olona fibre and feathers (‘I’iwi, ‘ō’ō, memo), Hawai’i, possibly late 1700s
Photo: Urban Adventurer
These helmets were worn in battles and ceremonies. They’re made from arial rootlets of the ‘ie’ie plant. Each mahiole is unique because different ways of waving are incorporated in the helmet to create a basket structure. Once the helmet shape was done, they attached small feathers to it creating the most different patterns.
Kapa (barkcloth), mulberry bast, Hawai’i, possibly late 1700s or early 1800s
Photo: Urban Adventurer
Kapa is a piece of barkcloth made from the inner bark of the paper mulberry tree. It was probably worn as the upper layer of a skirt (pā’ū). It’s decorated using a wooden liner tool (lapa) which they dipped in red and black pigment to draw the intricate patterns.
Wehi hulu (feathered ornament), ‘ie’ie rootlet, olona fibre, pearshell, wood, ‘I’iwi and ‘ō’ō feathers. Date unknown
Photo: Urban Adventurer
The name of this implement or ornament has not been historically recorded, neither the context of use. There are only a few examples of these items remained today.
Ki’i akua (god image) representing Kū, a god associated with warfare and governance. Late 1770 or early 1800s
Photo: Urban Adventurer
This sculpture is carved from a single piece of ‘ulu (breadfruit wood) and may have been brought to London by Hawaiian king LihoLiho in 1824.
This figure was likely stood on a place of worship (heiau) in Kona on the largest island of the Hawai’i archipelago.
‘Umeke ki’i (bowl with figure), kou wood, pearlshell, red ‘I’iwi red feathers, kapa (barkcloth) and dog fur. Possibly late 1700s
Photo: Urban Adventurer
This bowl is made from kou wood and was likely used to serve small portion of medicine or food. The carved figure probably represents a chiefly person in a serving position. The high status is indicated by the figure wearing feathered headdress and red malo (loincloth).
Practical Info
Photo: Urban Adventurer
Address
British Museum | Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG
Level 1, Room 35. To find Room 35, click here
Opening Times
15th January – 25th May 2026
Open daily from 10am – 5pm (Fridays 8:30pm)
Tickets
Tickets can be booked on British Museum’s official website
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