Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort has entered into a new partnership with the Bishop Museum to launch the “Native Garden Volunteering Program” and its new Kamala‘ulahiwa: ʻOhana Learning Space. In addition, families who stay on select family packages at Sheraton Waikiki can be among the first to see the museum’s newest immersive exhibit, “Exhibition Dinosaur: Into the Deep.”
The Kamala‘ulahiwa: ʻOhana Learning Space is located near the museum’s Nā Ulu Kaiwi‘ula Native Hawaiian Garden. It will serve as a community education space with new displays and special programming to help inspire community members to expand their knowledge of traditional land management, local food security and a sustainable future for Hawaiʻi. Volunteers will have the opportunity to support the Bishop Museum’s efforts in preserving and nurturing native plant species through immersive gardening activities and workshops. During the day-long program, participants will receive an educational overview of Hawaiʻi’s native ecosystem from museum staff before assisting with caretaking tasks in museum conservation areas, such as removing invasive species, planting and harvesting. Initially offered on a quarterly or bi-monthly basis, the program aims to expand based on interest and engagement.
The Bishop Museum, dedicated to the history, culture and environment of the Pacific, sees this partnership as a vital step in raising awareness and fostering stewardship. “Our collaboration with Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort is a powerful way to engage the community in conservation efforts,” said Kaelyn Okuhata, director of corporate relations and partnerships of Bishop Museum. “By participating in this initiative, volunteers will not only help restore native plant species but also gain a greater appreciation for Hawai‘i’s delicate ecosystem.”
The Native Garden Volunteering Program will evolve to include more structured programming later this year upon the completion of Bishop Museum’s Kamala‘ulahiwa: ʻOhana Learning Space facility. Until then, volunteers will play an essential role in the ongoing caretaking and restoration of these spaces.
Separately, on May 24, Bishop Museum’s “Exhibition Dinosaur: Into the Deep” makes its debut for an eight-month run. Guests who book Sheraton Waikiki’s “Day at the Museum” package will receive four vouchers for complimentary admission at the Bishop Museum; at the resort, guests will also receive daily breakfast for two adults and daily breakfast for two kids under 12 years.
The Bishop Museum was founded in 1889 by Charles Reed Bishop in memory of his wife Bernice Pauahi Bishop, a royal descendant of King Kamehameha I. The museum’s vast collections of more than 25 million objects and specimens represent nine disciplines and include more than 22 million biological specimens, over two million cultural objects, 115,000 historical publications and one million photographs, films, works of art, audio recordings and manuscripts. These collections tell the stories of the cultures and biodiversity of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific as well as the legacy of research spanning 130 years.
For more information, visit www.marriott.com.
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