Hale Hōʻikeʻike at the Bailey House, home of the Maui Historical Society, is a museum in Wailuku devoted to Maui’s history and Hawaiian culture. The 1833 house belonged to missionary Edward Bailey and now holds artifacts, photographs and documents spanning the island’s past. Look for items such as a shark-tooth dagger, native wood bowls and a surfboard associated with Duke Paoa Kahanamoku. Guided tours add context to the exhibits, which cover pre-contact Hawaii, the monarchy and missionary history.
The Bailey House and its history
Hale Hōʻikeʻike, the museum of the Maui Historical Society, occupies the Bailey House in Wailuku. The home was built in 1833 and was occupied by missionary Edward Bailey, the second missionary to live there. Bailey remained in the house for nearly 50 years, and its rooms give visitors a sense of domestic life during the missionary period.
The Maui Historical Society was established in 1951 to preserve the island’s heritage. It acquired the Bailey House in 1957, saving the building from possible demolition and turning it into a public museum. The house is now both a historic site and a setting for the society’s collection.
Artifacts and themes
The museum’s collection includes more than 2,000 artifacts, archival materials and historic photographs. Its displays trace Maui’s history from its early beginnings through later periods, with objects that illuminate Hawaiian culture before European contact as well as the island’s subsequent history.
Exhibits are arranged across several rooms. Themes include antiquities, the Hawaiian monarchy, paintings and missionaries. Among the objects visitors can look for are a shark-tooth dagger, native wood bowls, stone adzes, feather lei and tapa cloth. A surfboard associated with Duke Paoa Kahanamoku is also on the property.
The collection provides a close look at objects made and used in Hawaiʻi, alongside material connected to the people and events that shaped Maui. Take time to look through the rooms rather than expecting a large, modern museum layout: the Bailey House is a small historic home with exhibits spread through its interior.
Getting more from a visit
Docents lead tours and can explain the history behind particular objects and rooms. If you have a specific interest, ask about it during your visit; the guides can provide detail beyond what you learn from looking at the displays alone. The museum is a useful stop for building context on Maui’s history before exploring other historic sites in Wailuku.
The Old Wailuku Courthouse is a nearby point of interest to consider adding to your day. The museum’s weekday schedule is limited, so check for current access or maintenance notices before setting out. Allow time to explore the house and its exhibits, and longer if you want to take a guided tour and ask questions.
Häufige Fragen
Where is the Maui Historical Society?
It is at 2375A Main St in Wailuku, Maui, in the Bailey House.
When is the museum open?
The listed opening days are Tuesday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is listed as closed on Monday and weekends.
What can you see at the Bailey House?
The exhibits include Hawaiian artifacts, photographs and documents, with rooms covering antiquities, the Hawaiian monarchy, paintings and missionaries. Objects include a shark-tooth dagger, native wood bowls and a surfboard associated with Duke Paoa Kahanamoku.
How long should you allow for a visit?
Allow about one to two hours to explore the house and exhibits, with extra time if you want to take a guided tour and ask questions.
