Discover how science, culture, and community action unite to protect the unique biodiversity of ko Hawaiʻi pae ʻāina at Bishop Museum’s Science & Sustainability Festival. Museum scientists, educators, cultural practitioners, and community partners come together to highlight their ongoing work to ensure a sustainable future for our keiki and generations to come.

Participating Bishop Museum Natural Science departments
Botany
Entomology
Ichthyology
Invertebrate Zoology
Malacology
Pacific Center for Molecular Biodiversity
Vertebrate Zoology

The Festival features interactive activities for the whole ʻohana, along with special presentations and exhibition highlights. Learn directly from scientists, cultural practitioners, and community organizers on the front lines of biodiversity research and conservation across Hawaiʻi. Engage with community partners to explore their vital work and the critical connections between conservation initiatives and the advancement of ʻike Hawaiʻi.

This year, our Science & Sustainability Festival places special focus on Makahiki Kuleana Kahakai: the Year of Our Coastal Kuleana, celebrating the richness of our coastal ecosystems, the ways in which our coasts connect us as people, and everyone’s role in caring for them in return.

Science & Sustainability Festival 2026 also highlights the premiere of ʻElala ʻAʻaʻā o Hʻawaiʻi: Cave Bugs of Hawaiʻi in our Science Adventure Center. Come explore ʻaʻaʻā (lava tube) biodiversity from Hawai‘i! ʻElala ʻAʻaʻā o Hʻawaiʻi features an updated lava tube “caving” experience that highlights Hawaiian underground biodiversity, the scientific process of finding and naming new species, as well as a collaboration with members of the Papahāmaumokuākea Native Hawaiian Cultural Working Group Nomenclature Hui to develop Hawaiian names for species found only in Hawaiian lava tubes.

Mahalo to the Atherton Family Foundation for their generous support of this program!