Hawaiian people living in New Zealand say they're excited to see historical Hawaiian artefacts in the Pacific Communities Access Project.
Hawaiian legends book showcasing for the Pacific Communities Access Project, hosted by Auckland War Memorial Museum Photo: RNZ Pacific / Sela Jane Hopgood
Around 200 artefacts are on display at the Auckland War Memorial Museum until the beginning of March.
They include a traditional cape, quilts, extinct bird displays, a conch shell and ancient books.
Community spokesperson Keonilei Lealiifano was born and raised in Oahu and has been living in New Zealand for nine years.
Mrs Lealiifano said it was incredible to see Hawai'i acknowledged in a country where not many Hawaiians were based.
"We're not a large community here, so I guess we're always grasping at straws really to find ourselves in the Pacific diaspora here in New Zealand, but Auckland especially.
"I feels a lot of emotions for what's happening at the museum. These treasures have been in storage just hiding away for so long, for hundreds of years really.
"I'm just honoured to be part of this celebration and to see the Hawaiian history out for the public," she said.
Welcoming of the Hawaiian collection for the Pacific Communities Access Project Photo: RNZ Pacific / Sela Jane Hopgood
Auckland Museum's Pacific collection is one of the largest in the world with around 30,000 objects.
In mid-2016, staff and community knowledge holders worked together to roll out the Pacific Communities Access Project.
In alphabetical order each Pacific nation will take turns in exhibiting their items. The Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia have completed their stints.
Kiribati will follow after Hawai'i with other Pacific nations such as Niue, Pitcairn Island, Rapa Nui, Samoa, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Wallis & Futuna also involved.
As part of the museum's open access policy, the majority of the aretefacts can be viewed online.
