Bishop Museum announces new retail partnership

By Edited by Megan Smalley

Hawaiian Council has taken over gift shop operations and is renovating to spotlight more Hawaiian-made products.

The Bishop Museum in Honolulu has formed a new partnership with the Hawaiian Council to enhance the museum’s retail space and elevate its connection to Hawaii’s creative economy. Founded in 1889, the Bishop Museum is Hawaii’s State Museum of Natural and Cultural History and serves over 200,000 visitors annually.

In July, Hawaiian Council assumed operations of the museum’s gift shop and renamed it Shop Pacifica by Nā Mea Hawai‘i. The organization plans to continue to refresh the space and showcase Hawaii-made and designed products with displays.

“This partnership is a natural extension of our mission to celebrate and perpetuate the rich history and culture of Hawaii and the Pacific,” says Dee Jay Mailer, president and CEO of the Bishop Museum. “Hawaiian Council’s deep community ties and commitment to native Hawaiian businesses make them an ideal partner in strengthening how the museum reflects and uplifts our community.”

Hawaiian Council is working to add more tables and fixtures to the Bishop Museum's gift shop.
Hawaiian Council
Max Mukai, director of business development for the Hawaiian Council, says Shop Pacifica by Nā Mea Hawai‘i is a 1,300-square-foot store, located in the first building that guests enter when they arrive at the museum and purchase their admission. The gift shop features a wide range of products that are designed and made in Hawaii.

Since Hawaiian Council stepped in to manage operations, Mukai says there have been incremental updates made to the gift shop to prevent any disruption to daily operations. He says the museum gift shop is gradually adding new fixtures and enhanced displays to better showcase products and provide guests with an elevated shopping experience.

“Hawaiian Council is also working closely with Bishop Museum to curate items related to its exhibitions throughout the year and to highlight Bishop Museum Press titles,” says Mukai. “Importantly, the shop continues the legacy started by Nā Mea Hawai‘i by showcasing authentic, locally made products while also helping to build pathways toward greater economic independence for Hawaii’s makers.”

Hawaiian Council brings extensive retail experience through initiatives such as The Makeke (formerly Pop-up Makeke) and its recent acquisition of Nā Mea Hawai‘i, a longstanding cultural retail institution. Under Hawaiian Council’s leadership, the museum says it will continue to serve visitors in carrying fond memories home while always being a space for cultural exchange and community engagement. Planned experiences include product showcases, creative workshops and events that reflect the museum’s role as a gathering place for learning and connection.

“At its best, retail is a platform for cultural connection and storytelling,” says Kuhio Lewis, CEO of Hawaiian Council. “We’re honored to reimagine this space to highlight our local makers and create authentic experiences for both residents and visitors.”