Read this article in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi
This is a short story about my trip to London this past January. I was invited by the British Museum to the opening of the “Hawaiʻi: a kingdom crossing oceans” exhibit. I traveled with my two daughters. We were so excited to see our valuable Hawaiian heirlooms.
When we landed at the Heathrow Airport, my eyes caught a glimpse of a particular poster with the colorful treasured feathers from our beloved Hawaiian forests on a luxuriantly ornate cloak. It immediately took my breath away. My eyes began to well up with tears that cascaded down my cheeks due to the cloak’s beauty and because it resides separated from Hawaiʻi.
While we were traveling from the airport to our hotel we often saw the same poster. We saw it on the “Tube,” on various walls in the city, in all kinds of hallways, on top of taxis publicizing the days to visit the exhibit.
On the night of the opening, the first floor of the British Museum was full with people that were adorned from head to toe. Some wore kilts, some top hats with coat tails, and others wore Indigenous finery worthy of honoring our cherished items. It was said that a thousand people from all over the world were invited to the opening.
The evening started with some oli, hula, and speeches. Everything went well. If possible I highly encourage you all to go and see it.
