Join Our ʻOhana

At Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, we believe that preserving Hawai‘i’s rich cultural and natural heritage is a collective effort — and you’re invited to be part of it. Whether you’re looking to build a meaningful career, volunteer your time, or share your skills with our community, there’s a place for you here.

Joining our ʻohana means more than just working or volunteering — it means becoming part of a legacy. From behind-the-scenes collections care to front-facing visitor engagement, every role supports our mission to inspire wonder and discovery about Hawai‘i and the Pacific.

Careers

Looking to turn your passion into purpose? A career at Bishop Museum offers the opportunity to work alongside leading cultural practitioners, scientists, educators, and community leaders — all dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of Hawai‘i and the Pacific.

Whether you’re just starting out or bringing years of experience, we welcome professionals who are inspired by culture, science, and lifelong learning. Explore open positions and find where your journey begins.

Volunteer

Volunteers are the heart of Bishop Museum. From helping with keiki activities and special events to supporting research, collections, and visitor services, there are countless ways to make a meaningful impact.

Whether you can give a few hours a month or a few days a week, your time helps us connect with the community and care for the stories that shape our islands.

Current Volunteer Opportunities

Education Docent Volunteer Program

The Education Docent Volunteer Program was developed to create a cadre of well-trained, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable volunteers who provide assistance, along with interpretive and educational experiences, to all members of our community.

Bishop Museum Te Rangi Hīroa Curators and Caretakers Fellowship

Bishop Museum hosts a nine-month fellowship with the possibility of renewal for a second term. The fellowship provides training and supports research related to the collection of Bishop Museum. The fellow is fully integrated in a Bishop Museum department with duties, privileges, and expectations of those working within the Museum. Time is divided between assigned projects and general work within the department, with an additional focus on oral history training and sessions with narrators. Through weekly gatherings and discussions, the fellow takes part in knowledge sharing and sessions that explore the inner workings of Bishop Museum. The fellow participates in departmental and area of specialization meetings and has opportunities to work with departments across the Museum. They also have access to mentorship from colleagues at partner museums including the British Museum, Te Papa, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate a commitment to uplift Indigenous methodologies, implement policies and praxis informed by Indigenous knowledge and worldviews, demonstrate excellence and creativity in their practice whether it be as a curator, editor, collections manager, educator, public programmer, digital humanities specialist, artist, or cultural practitioner. Applications are requested from people whose interests and areas of expertise align with Bishop Museum collections and programs. Specifically, the fellows will be full participants in projects and departments listed below. They will participate in departmental projects and priorities as described under each fellowship area. Cover letters and statements must specify which fellowship area is most aligned with the applicant’s expertise and interests.

Fellowship Period

The fellow must be in residence at Bishop Museum during the fellowship period, which lasts nine-months with the ability to renew for a second term. A low-residency option is available for inter-island Hawaiʻi residents and Pacific Island residents living outside of Oʻahu. Low-residency fellows must be able to juggle remote-work with on-site extended visits to Bishop Museum through the duration of the fellowship.

Eligibility

Consideration is given to candidates working in fields represented by the Museum’s permanent collection of Hawaiʻi and Pacific cultural resources and Library & Archives including art, ethnology, archaeology, as well as candidates with specialization focused on Oceanic material culture, history, art and/or art history, Indigenous archaeology, music and dance, Indigenous literary arts, political and social movements of the Pacific, and collections stewardship. Applicants from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. This is an international program. With questions, please write to healoha.johnston@bishopmuseum.org and title the subject of your email: Last Name, First Name. Te Rangi Hīroa Fellowship QUESTION.

Funding

The fellow will receive a stipend of $45,000.

Equal Opportunity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for the Te Rangi Hīroa Fellowship without regard to race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship, or any other protected status.

Application Timeline & Procedures

By the date below, all application materials must be submitted as PDF attachments, by email to: healoha.johnston@bishopmuseum.org. We do not accept applications or related materials via postal mail or in person. There is no fee to apply for this fellowship.

The application requires you to provide the following in PDF format:

Cover letter
Full curriculum vitae of education, professional experience, honors, awards, and publications
A statement, not to exceed 700 words: explain your reasons for applying, and specify your areas of specialization and the relationship of your expertise to the Museum’s collection and proposed fellowship focus areas
Copy of a published paper or recent writing sample if applying to the Hawaiʻi and Pacific Arts and Cultures Curatorial Fellowship

Submit all application materials in PDF to the following Bishop Museum email address: healoha.johnston@bishopmuseum.org by April 24, at 11:59 p.m. (HST). Please title the subject of your email: Last Name, First name. Te Rangi Hīroa Fellowship Application.

Questions?

Healoha Johnston, Director of Cultural Resources and Curator for Hawaiʻi and Pacific Arts and Culture at Bishop Museum

Email: healoha.johnston@bishopmuseum.org

1525 Bernice Street
Honolulu, HI 96817

Questions?

Email: maricel.barroga@bishopmuseum.org

HR/Volunteer Department
1525 Bernice Street
Honolulu, HI 96817

The Human Resources and Volunteer Department has office hours Monday through Friday. We are closed over the weekend and during administrative holidays, including Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Be a Part of Our Story

Celebrate the extraordinary history, culture, and environment of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific with a gift to Bishop Museum. As a partner in the Museum’s work, you can help to sustain vital collections, research, and knowledge, and inspire exploration and discovery with a tax-deductible donation.

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Current Volunteer Opportunities

Education Docent Volunteer Program

Bishop Museum Te Rangi Hīroa Curators and Caretakers Fellowship

State Museum of Natural and Cultural History of Hawaiʻi