What major art exhibition, focusing on the history of Hawaiian royalty, opened at the British Museum in London in January 2026?

The major art exhibition that opened at the British Museum in London in January 2026, focusing on the history of Hawaiian royalty, is titled "Hawaiʻi: a kingdom crossing oceans". This significant exhibition celebrates the artistry and powerful history of Hawaiʻi, bringing together remarkable objects from feathered cloaks worn by chiefs to finely carved deities and contemporary works by Kānaka ʻŌiwi (Native Hawaiian) artists.

The exhibition commemorates over 200 years since the historic journey of King Liholiho (Kamehameha II) and Queen Kamāmalu, who traveled from Hawaiʻi to London in 1824. Their voyage was a diplomatic mission to seek an alliance and protection from the British Crown, marking a pivotal moment in the history of the Hawaiian Kingdom. The exhibition sheds light on Hawaiʻi's history and culture through an exploration of the complex and enduring relationship between the Hawaiian and British nations.

Developed through extensive collaboration with Native Hawaiian artists, practitioners, and scholars, "Hawaiʻi: a kingdom crossing oceans" centers on indigenous knowledge and perspectives. It showcases seldom-seen international loans alongside the British Museum's own remarkable collections, which are among the largest in the world outside of Hawaiʻi. The exhibition offers visitors a deep and human story that connects past and present, highlighting the Hawaiian Kingdom's role as a global nation with rich cultural roots and expansive international networks.