Admission to the shop is always free.

The first 100 customers will receive a free copy of Bishop Museum's new full-color 2008 calendar (one per family) featuring images from the Museum's unrivaled collection of 18th and 19th century art of and about Hawai'i.

The schedule of events:

9 a.m.: opening ceremony

10-11 a.m.: hand massage demonstration by Oils of Aloha

12 to 1 p.m.: DeSoto Brown will be available to talk about the Archival Signature Collection prints

12 to 2 p.m.: book signing by Pali Jae Lee Hooponono

12 to 2 p.m.: book reading and signing by Robert Lono Ikuwa, "Tutu Hamana: The Shaka Sign Story"

10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.: Hawaiian craft demonstrations and a hula performance by Halau Napua Hoolauna I Ka Hula

According to Shop Director Maria Young, the new Shop Pacifica has put a major focus and emphasis on mission-related products, especially new items from the vast collection of the Bishop Museum Archives. On Nov. 17, she will introduce a limited edition selection of rare original photographs from the Bishop Museum Archives' Baker Collection. The Signature Archives Collection features beautiful original black and white images, photographed around the 1930s, by renowned Hawai'i photographer R.J. Baker. They will be sold already matted and framed, limited edition, while supplies last. Bishop Museum Archivist DeSoto Brown will be on hand to answer questions about the special collections.

Shop Pacifica will also feature many new locally made and created product lines such as Kealopiko, which features original wearable art designed clothing. Renowned artist, Eddie Y, will present two of his latest T-shirt designs. Handmade soap products with local fragrances and some with medicinal values, and many, many more.

Shop Pacifica closed in mid-June for a major remodeling project to the shop area, visitor admissions center, and front box office. The main visitor entrance area to Bishop Museum reopened on Sept. 28, with plans to re-stock and celebrate its Grand Opening on Nov. 17.

The renovation project, which included major upgrades to the admission area and box office as well as Shop Pacifica, took about 12 weeks. The Shop Pacifica makeover included new flooring, upgraded fixtures, better lighting, and new product mix.

Shop Pacifica is known for its wide selection of books about Hawaiian and Polynesian history and culture and as the major distribution outlet for Bishop Museum Press, the fourth largest publisher of books in Hawaii.

Shop Pacifica is also known for its one-of-a-kind items handmade by local crafters and artists, which are not found easily anywhere. Precious and rare Ni'ihau shell leis, woodwork and carvings by Hawaiian craftsmen, and contemporary artwork by Native Hawaiian artists are available. Shop Pacifica also stocks a variety of children's books and educational toys with cultural, science, and natural history themes. Bishop Museum logo items and clothing are also available.

"We have undertaken this renovation of our front entrance and gift shop this summer in anticipation and preparation for the grand re-opening of Hawaiian Hall planned for summer of 2009 when we expect a large influx of new visitors to the museum," says Blair Collis, Vice President of Public Operations for Bishop Museum. "Our goal with these renovations is to provide a much improved overall visitor experience for the nearly half million residents and visitors who come to Bishop Museum to learn about the natural history, art, and culture of Hawai'i every year."

Hawaiian Hall is undergoing a $21 million renovation and reinstallation, the first major renovation since the Museum was founded in 1889. Award-winning designer of the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., Ralph Appelbaum is overseeing the reinstallation with the guidance of Bishop museum staff and cultural advisers.