This month I’ve stepped away from my normal articles on the latest techie electronics equipment and went to another one of my interest, the area of medicine.  The people of Hawaii are incredibly fortunate to have one of the most fascinating exhibits to come to our shores.  Bodies, The Exhibitions is now being held at the Ala Moana Shopping Center on the ground floor next to the new Nordstrom.  This exhibit is a unique display of the human body as not normally seen by the general public.  The exhibition provides an up-close look inside the skeletal, muscular, nervous, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, reproductive, urinary and intecumentary (e.g. skin) systems that makes up the human body. The specimens in the exhibition are actual human remains preserved through a technique called polymer preservation in which human tissue is preserved using silicone rubber. The “rubberized specimen”, display the body's complex bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels and organs. These type of specimens have been around for a number of years but have been primarily used for training of medical professionals.  Bodies, The Exhibition now allows the general public to see the human body as they have never seen before.  There are twelve full-body displays and 150 smaller individual specimens on exhibit.  The full bodies are displayed in unique action posses (e.g. shoot a basket ball, throwing a baseball).  On average, it takes one hour and half to go through the entire exhibition but some folks have stayed the entire day. You are not allowed to use your mobile phone in Bodies, so plan to unavailable for the time you are in there.  No photography is allowed to keep the pristin environment intact.

I wanted to see this exhibit but I was not sure that anyone in my family would.  I was pleasantly surprised that my three kids were interested in going to see this as well (my wife had to work).  My two sons (ages 19 and 15 years old) were fascinated as I was, about seeing all the parts of a once living human being.  My daughter (also 15 years old) was a little less enthusiastic that about seeing this but still wanted to go.  Co-worker Jon Eto also join us on this fascinating viewing but his family decide to pass since his children are a lot younger.

I purchased my tickets on-line which allows you print out the tickets ahead of time.  The benefit of this is that you do not have to stand in line to purchase the tickets there.  However, there is an extra charge to do this ($3.50 per ticket) and only way to get the Kamaaina discount ($3) is to purchase your ticket there so they can verify your residency.  When we went at 9:30 in the morning, the line was about 20 people long.  However, at Noon, the line was much longer (see photo below).  If you don’t like waiting, I suggest you get your tickets on-line.   Adult tickets are $27, seniors $25, children (4 – 12) $19 and discounted prices are available to groups, college students/military with valid ID. Hours for the exhibition are 9:30 a.m. - to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Sunday. 

The most common reason that one would go to this exhibit is to satisfy your curiosity. However, this exhibit is extremely educational (don’t tell the kids that) and can explains how the body works through visual models. Beside the actual specimens, there are signs and cards explaining what are being displayed. You also can purchase an audio tour to get more information on each display. Some of the signs show facts that make you think about things (e.g. For every pack of cigarettes you smoke, you shorten your life by 3 hours and 40 minutes).

At the entrance there are some signs of trepidation as people are first entering and don’t really know how they will react.  The exhibit starts off with the skeletons which are a little more commonly seen.  My first reaction was that all this seem surreal and just incredibly intricate models.  There is no blood and gore in any of the exhibits.

 Viewing of a skeleton - Photo courtesy of Premier Exhibitions.

From there you are introduced to the muscles and nervous systems. Some of the most visually attractive exhibits are the displays of the circulatory system. These displays used a method called corrosive casting which is an ingenious way of getting only the blood vessels to remain from an entire body. 

Due to our sensitivity to children, there is a special warning that one section has remains of fetuses. If you choose not to see this section there is a way to bypass it. There are on display healthy and diseased organs. One of the most moving displays is one of a blacken smoker’s lung. There is even a container which you can deposit your pack of cigarettes if you deciding to quit after viewing the display.

Chris Hjerling is the General Manager of Premier Exhibitions here in Hawaii and is responsible for Bodies exhibition. Chris, originally from Hawaii, now travels with the exhibition to different cities. There are also three to four local staff and volunteers with medical background who are wandering the halls and can answer all your questions. Due to the fragile nature of the specimens, you cannot touch them except for a couple items at the Interactive Touch Center. Did you ever want to hold a human brain in your hands? How about a liver?

What are the most popular displays?  Chris says that surprisingly it is the Fetus section.  Another favorite section is the cardiovascular section which displays all the blood vessels in your body and specimens of the heart.

Lastly, if you want to get more of Bodies, at the end of the exhibition is a store which has an assortment of items unique to Bodies and some that are related items.  Link to on-line store.

You have until January 18, 2009 to see Bodies, the Exhibition here in Hawaii.  I strongly urge you to go and see this if you able to.  It’s fascinating and educational.  For some, it might spur a career in a medical field or change your habits to live a healthier life.  I leave with a quote from company that brings you this unique look into our amazing and facinating bodies:

"Bodies...The Exhibition provides visitors the opportunity to take a journey through their own body and study themselves from the inside out," said Cheryl Muré, director of education for Premier Exhibition.  ""Bodies...The Exhibition" not only educates and inspires you to live a healthier lifestyle but it leaves you with a deeper understanding of yourself in a way no textbook ever could.  We are excited to be a part of the Hawaii community and hope everyone has the opportunity to view this life changing experience. " said Muré.