Ulana is a museum that aspires to care for and present objects through exhibitions and events enabling the people of Hawai’i Island, and its visitors, to access knowledge and interact meaningfully with the sciences and arts.

 

Situated in the heart of the Pacific, Ulana also endeavors to make a humble contribution to the collective efforts of individuals, institutions, and communities to maintain and transfer traditional knowledge while celebrating the contemporary culture of the people of Oceania.

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Our inaugural in-person exhibit was slated for September at the beautiful location of Mokupāpapa Discovery Center. Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, all exhibits and galleries planned for Ulana will be made available online. 

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A series of exhibits under the theme of Pūlama (to cherish, treasure) will be released in phases. The first series titled Minamina will highlight four cherished plants, namely the ʻŌhiʻa Lehua, Hala, Kauila, and Ipu. These lāʻau are threatened by invasive species, which impact cultural practices, landscapes, and our ecosystems.

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A parallel exhibit, Pana Hawaiʻi, highlights place names around Hawaiʻi island through the lens of a moʻolelo (story) titled Kamiki. Our journey will begin in Hilo. 

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Our goal is to have all content available in both English and ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi. This is a work in progress. Thank you for your patience while this work continues.