This FREE Family Event Features Open House of the Museum,
Cultural Demonstrations, Live Music, and Educational Activities
HONOLULU, HI (September 3, 2025) -- Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives (HMH) will host its annual free 'Ohana Day Open House on Saturday, September 27, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

This year's event celebrates the power and beauty of Native Hawaiian plants, highlighting their cultural significance and conservation efforts today.
The family-friendly event will feature hands-on cultural demonstrations, educational booths from leading conservation organizations, and activities for visitors of all ages. The Hale Pili o nā Mikanele constructed of pili grass, as well as, all historic houses will be open for free, offering self-guided tours throughout the day.

Event highlights include:

Cultural Demonstrations: Lauhala weaving with Ulana me ka Lokomaika'i, Ku'i Kalo demonstration with Daniel Anthony of Mana 'Ai, and ohe kāpala (bamboo stamp) carving with renowned artist Nalu Andrade of Nā Maka Kahiko

Educational Partners: Information and activity booths from Hawaii Nature Center, Hawaiian Historical Society, City and County of Honolulu Division of Urban Forestry, Lyon Arboretum, Aloha Tree Alliance, Laukahi: The Hawaii Plant Conservation Network, and Oahu Army Natural Resource Program.

Family Activities: 19th-century Hawaiian and western games plus complimentary keiki ID cards courtesy of Hamada Financial Group.
Keiki Entrepreneur Vendor Booth: World Eco Boss

Food Vendor: Cool Beans Coffee from 10am to 3pm

Music from Jason Leaha from 11:30am to 1pm.

Central to the day's celebration will be HMH's Hale Pili o nā Mikanele. This authentic replica of an 1823 dwelling was built under the guidance of Hawaiian cultural practitioners following descriptions found in archived missionary journals. The reconstruction process itself embodied our mission---blending traditional Hawaiian building practices under the guidance of cultural practitioners with primary source research from our extensive archives housing over 80,000 digital pieces and one of the world's largest collections of Hawaiian language printed materials.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to explore Ka Hale Lā'au (The Frame House) -- the oldest remaining Western-style house in Hawai'i, Ka Hale Pa'i (The Printing House) featuring a replica of the printing press used to produce the first Hawaiian-language materials, and Ka Hale Kamalani (The Chamberlain House), which houses the museum's main exhibits.

"ʻOhana Day represents our commitment to sharing the rich cultural heritage of Hawaiʻi with the community, and celebrates the gift of this land by the Aliʻi to the missionaries when they arrived," said Mike Smola, Director of Education. "This year's focus on native plants highlights the deep connection between Hawaiian culture and the natural environment, while showcasing ongoing preservation efforts that are vital to preserving these treasures for future generations."

The Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives is located at 553 S. King Street, in downtown Honolulu. Street parking is available.

The event is free and open to the public.

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The Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives (HMH) fosters thoughtful dialogue and greater understanding of the profound impact of Protestant missionaries on the history and culture of Hawai'i. A National Historic landmark since 1965, HMH has the kuleana of preserving the two oldest remaining Western-style houses in Hawai'i, the 1821 Frame House (Ka Hale Lāʻau), and as well as the 1831 Chamberlain House (Ka Hale Kamalani). HMH is also the "birthplace" of the printed Hawaiian language, and its Library & Archives is home to one of the largest collections of Hawaiian language printed material in the world. HMH is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, offering tours - including a demonstration of the printing press, educational field trips, and special programs such as history theatre performances which have earned multiple awards of excellence from the Hawaii State Theatre Council. Learn more about HMH at www.missionhouses.org.