Lyman Museum — Attraction in Hawaii

After experiencing the Panaewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens (please reference my review if interested), we made the 18 minute drive to Lyman Museum. I must admit, when Google Maps announced our arrival, I was skeptical of the museum based on the appearance of the building. However, that feeling dissipated when we entered the building and were greeted by a friendly employee at the front counter. After paying the very small admission fee, another friendly employee gave us a brief overview of how to navigate the exhibits.

The first exhibit was centered on one of my favorite childhood interests…volcanoes! I was taking a walk down memory lane as I relearned the root cause of volcanic eruptions and the history of Hawaii’s active volcanoes. Afterwards, we learned about the various habitat types, mammals, and birds.

The next following exhibits were focused on Hawaii’s complicated (in my opinion) history. Although all of the content was interesting to some capacity; the following three topics stood out: sugar plantations, the educational system, and the annexation of Hawaii by the United States. Although the information is presented in an unbiased form, it shaped my opinion of how native Hawaiians (along with other ethnic groups) were mistreated, the United States’ role in attempting to completely sanitize the Hawaiian education system (i.e., being punished for speaking their native language in school), and the events that led to the Hawaiian government being overthrown by the United States.

As most museums, I walked away with mixed feelings. I learned a lot about Hawaiian culture, but also felt torn in my decision to visit (support) a place that has been essentially cleansed of its true culture and taken over by Americans (yes I know that there are other places that have been similarly impacted). I highly recommend that visitors take the time out of their vacation to visit this museum and enlighten themselves with...

This museum provides a wonderfully rich experience on both floors: 1st floor - In-depth exhibits about the different climate zones of Hawaiʻi with their plant and animal life. Plenty of examples of animals that live in different zones, with some scale models to boot! All information tidbits about the animals and plants are fun for both adults and keiki. The first floor also contains a neat exhibit summarizing the geology of the islands, types of shells and molluscs, and one of the most impressive gem/mineral displays I have ever seen. Definite recommend for rock-hounds!

2nd floor - An extensive exhibit on Hawaiian history. Starts with Ancient Hawaiʻi and includes great descriptions on tools, adornments, houses, and culture. The exhibit then moves to the colonial contact days, and subsequent plantation days of the islands. Subsequently, it flows into an exhibit on modern Hawaiʻi, showcasing all the most important cultural aspects of the islands - from hula, to mele, and moʻolelo. It showcases examples of Hawaiian music through the last 100 years, and then finishes off with a storyboard of multiple people from Hawaiʻi, where you get to hear various people's stories.

Long review, but it is deserved for such a wonderful museum. It is absolutely worth the price. I would recommend this to everyone who...

This wonderful museum stands next to the Lyman Mission House which dates back to 1838 on Hilo, Hawai'i. Two tickets are required, one for the museum and another for the house tours. Their website directs visitors to get tickets online, but we were quickly admitted because school was out for MLK day: no large school groups.

The museum first floor has science exhibits in three subjects: volcanology, local plant and animal life and very fine minerology exhibit. A person could enter not knowing much about volcanos and leave having gotten a basic understanding of how the islands came to be.

The cases displaying minerals (components of rock) contain specimen collections grouped according to crystal structures. The collection rivals that of much larger and better known museums I have visited.

The second floor exhibits chronicle the cultural history of Hawai'i island, starting from early Polynesian settlers through to present day touching on daily living, political changes, plantations, immigration, and more recent events such as WWII, annexation and statehood.

Our visit (Museum only) provided in two hours an orientation to both the land and its people. This will be a great foundation for the rest of our visit. If you have time in Hilo, give this strong...