A palace brimming with the personal belongings of royalty, a World War II airplane hangar and a gallery filled with wooden carvings of plant life are but three of your options this Museum Day, which be held Saturday.

Museums across the nation are opening their doors and waiving their admission charges in honor of Smithsonian Magazine's Museum Day, which emulates the Washington D.C. year-round free policy. With 1,200 museums in all 50 states already registered, Museum Day 2009 is the largest in the event's history.

Several museums on Oahu and on the neighbor islands will accept free admission passes that are available on the Smithsonian Web site.

“;This provides a way for local institutions to gain national exposure,”; said Lesa Griffith, director of communications for the Honolulu Academy of Arts. Participating museums are highlighted in the Smithsonian magazine and on the Web site. Magazine subscribers become more aware of places that can be visited during island trips, she explained.

“;We are also reaching a new market,”; she added. “;Local people may visit a place that they haven't been to since the fourth grade. We have a wide range of institutions that have lots of great stuff to offer for both adults and children.”;

Queen Emma Summer Palace is offering up its array of artifacts and furnishings from King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma. The Pacific Aviation Museum is allowing access to its seaplane hangar that survived the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. And, the Contemporary Museum is featuring Japanese artist Yoshihiro Suda as well as its sprawling spread of sculptures and media.

Meanwhile, the Honolulu Academy of Arts is showcasing “;Hokusai's Summit: Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji”; for the first time in more than a decade. The exhibition also includes works depicting Mount Fuji by other artists.

Visitors can learn about the impact of the Protestant missionaries at the Mission Houses Museum, open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., by visiting Hawaii's oldest wood frame house, the missionary station supply center and the printing office.

And Hawaii Theatre is allowing pass holders admission to the annual Huliau concert presented by the Hawaii Arts Ensemble and Halau Hula Ka No'eau on a seat-available basis. Led by Michael Pili Pang, the company has toured the United States, Canada and Asia since 1994 and is recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts as one of Hawaii's leading touring companies.

Admission passes can be downloaded at http://www.smithsonianmagazine.com/museumday. Only one admission card per household is allowed.