Hawaiian Mission Houses

Enjoyed this tour of Mission Houses so much that I might take same again! Great guide (Julie Chang). This is a MUST Do if you want to learn about history of Hawai'i!

Admittedly, over the past 20 years, we've visited these historic structures at least once a year during Kawaiaha'o Church's annual pre-Christmas craft fair. As there are only 3 historic structures on this property, this museum is small but worth seeing if you're interested in learning about the impact of these missionaries on the native Hawaiian culture during the reign of King Kamehameha II, Kamehameha III and Queen Kaahumanu in the 19th Century.We were walking in the area when we noticed the banner which announced a Family Day Open House (FREE admission, tours and activities) this past Saturday so we made it a point to check it out. The Hawaiian Mission Houses Historical Site and Archives (HMHHSA) is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00AM to 4:00PM. General admission is $10 with discounts for Military, Seniors and Students. Tours are guided with very knowledgeable docents or you can take a self-guided tour.So, what are the Hawaiian Mission Houses? Basically there are 3 main, restored, structures dating back to the early 19th Century. But, there's MORE to just looking at these structures.In 1819, the "First Company" of missionaries (7 couples and 5 children plus 4 native Hawaiian boys) set sail from Boston to the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii) and were given direction to "raise the native peoples to an elevated state of Christian civilization" which included the teachings of the Bible and abilities to literacy. They were NOT to meddle in political affairs or other secular matters that were not directly related to religion. This direction was a mixed message and until today, the roles of the missionaries are regarded as somewhat controversial.-1821 Mission House (Ka Hale Lāau) The First Company came with pre-cut lumber and Western living essentials and erected the structure. It was built in typical New England-style, housed the missionaries and became a site where the exchange between Native Hawaiian culture and language and Western cultures and language "began". Native Hawaiians were taught the English language and became literate while the missionaries learned the Hawaiian language and culture. The American missionaries introduced Western medicine, agriculture, laws and democracy and reinforced political and economic ties with the United States. This house originally housed the 7 members of the Daniel Chamberlain family, 5 other missionary families and occasionally ailing sailors and orphans. -1831 The Chamberlain House was built using local coral blocks, lumber from salvaged ships and locally procured supplies. This larger, 2-story structure served as home, gathering place and supply center. It had an attic and cellar like most New England homes have but if you live in or have visited Hawaiian homes built in the late 19th C and 20th C, youd rarely find these features. -1841 Printing House (Ka Hale Pai) Built next to the Mission House out of coral blocks and now adapting to the local climate, the missionaries added this structure originally as an extra bedroom or living quarters. It was soon converted into housing the first printing press which was originally set up in a grass house. The Mission's Print House produced the first materials printed in the Hawaiian language and showed how the native Hawaiians and missionaries worked together.While strolling the grounds of these mission houses and Kawaiaha'o Church, I could feel history come alive and see how much life has changed in Hawaii.

We strolled over to check out this landmark since we never explored this side of Downtown. We first went to the gift shop, practically window shopped, circled around yet no one spoke to us so then we started the tour on our own. A couple of tour guides were outside the shop chatting a bit but we didn't seem to phase them so we started on our own.. We walked along the grounds but there were tree cutters so we couldn't galavant much. It's $10 admission for a guided tour on the hour. (11am-3pm.) This is definitely not a self guided tour. There aren't any signs to explain or an audio set to take you back in time.. Supposedly there are documents and artifacts from the mission period but I'm not sure where those were located. I'll have to actually bug a tour guide the next time I'm there..

Absolutely a must-visit. Make sure to book the your online ahead of time.We took the history buff tour led by Mike Smola and it's really fantastic -- Mike is incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiastic and thoughtful and passionate. He toggled effortlessly between diving deep into topics where we had questions, and providing a broad overview of Hawaiian history and the role the missions played in it. It's rare to learn so much so fast fun so enthusiastic a teacher.One member of our party is a professional historian and enjoyed it as much as us lay people did.

Every year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the Mission Houses have a Christmas craft and gift faire. The vendors always offer beautiful artwork, ornaments, and unique pieces you don't see elsewhere. It goes from 8-3pm, and only happens this one day a year. Definitely check it out!

Pros: location Easy access with public transportation Beautiful Cons: odd hours

The 4th graders went on a field trip here last Friday. I was disappointed because we were rushed through the tour. We had about 10 - 15 min at each "station". In addition, there was one station where the students drew pictures on paper plates to resemble the olden day plates, but only had enough for about 6 students out of about 30 or so. They said they "ran out". That's no excuse!!! It's not like the the tour was free. The "educational director" wasn't really friendly either. Aside from that, I think it's a great place for students to learn about how the olden days were spent here in Hawaii.

To go inside the houses, you must go on a tour which only runs every hour or so. But you may walk around and peek through the windows for free, which is what we did.I don't know if I am interested enough to pay for a tour, but the gift shop is GREAT. They have really good oil paintings by local artists, high-quality matted art prints, chocolates & honey; jewelry by local artists; and other really nice souvenirs. If I were visiting Hawaii I would stop here to get my gifts for people if they were artsy types.I actually bought a cyanotype printing kit for the kids; it makes blue & white photo prints with the sun.

My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the guided tour by Docent Rose Hansen through the Mission House buildings on the Kamaaina discount Sat, even though the weather was very rainy. Her attention to detail in sharing the history of the early missionaries in Hawaii, their lifestyle and challenges throughout their time here, their artifacts, and the contributions and influences the missionaries made to our Hawaiian culture and history thru the printing press, music, fashion, construction, and of course in religion, were most enlightening, and even different from our early understandings. We highly recommend this tour, or even a revisit, to visitors and kamaaina alike. Mahalo to Curator Mike and Gift Shop assistant Grace for a very memorable experience.

It was like a trip back in time in old Hawaii before the overthrow. Being in this place felt so surreal, it's pretty neat. The Mission Houses Museum offers vistors to its place of wonderment and history. This piece of history is in downtown Honolulu, kept away from the hustle and bustle of urban living. I was pleasantly surprised that this place was very well kept up. Admission/Tours to this place is not cheap, but its good to experience it just once. General admission is $10, but kama'aina rate is $8.Tours are conducted every hour, and last tour begins promptly at 3pm. You can walk around the grounds and it's free. I paid my $8 and got a shot of knowledge on how it was back in the old days. There's only street parking, but if you are like me, the public buses run nearby and you just walk to the museum grounds. This place is really educational and one of the places you'd probably say wow to.