The “Hawaii AIS” initiative by Bishop Museum addresses the challenge of Marine Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) in Hawaiʻi, focusing on the ecological threats posed by non-native species introduced into marine environments. These invasive species can disrupt local ecosystems, outcompete native species, and lead to significant ecological changes. The museum’s Hawaii Biological Survey aims to document, compile, and make accessible information about both benign and invasive species introductions to aid in future AIS detection and management, highlighting the importance of maintaining the balance and health of Hawaiʻi’s marine ecosystems.

Bishop Museum’s J. Watumull Planetarium offers a calendar of astronomical events tailored for Hawaiʻi’s unique location and time zone, adjusting for Hawaiʻi Standard Time (HST) rather than Universal Time (UT). This calendar includes moon phases, meteor shower peaks, the start of seasons, and the phenomenon of lāhainā noon, when the sun is directly overhead, occurring only in the tropics. Additionally, the museum provides monthly star maps for Hawaiʻi’s latitude and insightful tips for meteor shower viewing, emphasizing the importance of post-midnight observations when Earth faces incoming debris. These resources enrich the astronomical experience by aligning it with Hawaiʻi’s specific geographical and cultural context.

Bishop Museum’s Ichthyology Department, with a focus on the tropical Indo-Pacific region, houses over 40,000 cataloged lots of coral-reef fishes. This collection, primarily preserved in isopropyl alcohol, includes a wide range of specimens from single to over 100 per lot, totaling approximately 100,000 specimens. Notably, the collection features the Holotype of the Megamouth Shark (Megachasma pelagios) among its large specimens. Research in this department has significantly contributed to the taxonomy, systematics, and biogeography of coral-reef fishes, largely due to the work of Dr. John E. “Jack” Randall, who documented over 815 new species. Today, the collection continues to expand, including efforts to document larval fishes, under the guidance of Ichthyology Collections Manager, Calder Atta, building on a legacy of exploration and discovery in marine biology.