31 Jan Congratulations to Noelle Kahanu and Brandy McDougall

On January 15, 2026, the British Museum exhibition Hawai’i: a kingdom crossing oceans opened to rave reviews. Showcasing over 150 mea kupuna, or ancestral objects, the exhibition tells the story of King Liholiho and Queen Kamamalu’s fateful journey to London in 1824 in an effort to secure a political alliance and protectorate, as well as the complex and enduring relationship between the kingdoms that ensued. Two members of the American Studies Department were key participants in the exhibition: Noelle Kahanu was a member of the Exhibition Stewardship Committee and Brandy Nalani McDougall’s poem, ‘Aina Hanau/Birth Land, was read by Kamehameha School students, who appear in a video at the end of the exhibition. Both Kahanu and McDougall also contributed to the exhibition catalogue and were in attendance for the opening events.  Remarked Kahanu in an opening event speech which followed that of British Museum director Nicholas Cullinan, “This exhibition is not just about Hawaiʻi, but one that reflects the ongoing relationship between our nations. Though it is called Hawaiʻi: a kingdom crossing oceans, in truth, there were many a nation that came calling on Hawai’i, that sought our resources and pursued relationships with our chiefs over repeated visitations, and none more so than the United Kingdom. And so we stand here, not only as a result of our own interests but of yours. The Hawaiian collection assembled within the British Museum is thus both a testament to this centuries-long relationship and a reflection of its complexities.” The temporary exhibition closes on May 25, 2026. The catalogue will be available through the University of Hawai’i Press in March.