Bishop Museum Shares a Preview of Its 2026 Exhibitions, Public Programs, and Events

Bishop Museum, the State of Hawaiʻi Museum of Natural and Cultural History, expresses its appreciation to members of the news media, Museum guests, and its global ʻohana for their support in 2025, and invites all back to #HawaiisMuseum in the coming New Year.

The Museum shares a preview of its 2026 exhibitions, public programs, and events, below. Bishop Museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, except on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. For additional information and media opportunities, please contact Krislyn Hashimoto at Stryker Weiner & Yokota Public Relations, Inc. via the information above.

Continuing from 2025

• Through Jan. 25, 2026 | Castle Memorial Building Exhibit:Dinosaurs have returned to Kaiwiʻula! For the first time on Oʻahu, guests will be able to experience, up close and personal, oceanic and aquatic reptiles from the Jurassic period — along with favorites like the T-Rex and Stegosaurus. Designed by Stage 9 Exhibits, Expedition Dinosaur: Into the Deep features lifelike animatronic dinosaurs with realistic movement and sound.
• Through March 22, 2026 | J. M. Long Gallery Exhibition:Dive into the vivid world of EXCORE's revolutionary underwater cinema with Explore EXCORE: The Art of Underwater Science, and be surrounded by amazing coral reef imagery captured in breathtaking clarity. Each frame is more than a stunning visual; it's a permanent scientific record of 21st-century reef biodiversity, preserved today for generations to come.EXCORE, Bishop Museum's Center for the Exploration of Coral Reef Ecosystems, has led the way in deploying — and even inventing — the world's most advanced technologies to survey, study, and celebrate the astonishing biodiversity of coral reefs.
• Ongoing | Jabulka Pavilion Rotunda (J. Watumull Planetarium lobby) Exhibit:Wayfinders: He Waʻa He Moku, He Moku He Waʻa, We Are One and the Same celebrates the resurgence of wayfinding across Hawaiʻi and the wider Moananuiākea. This exhibit showcases the growing family of voyaging canoes and crew members, reflecting on environmental and cultural stewardship for future generations. Meet inspirational leaders in the Hall of Teachers interactive by Arizona State University, and practice using kūkuluokalani, the Hawaiian star compass, and nā lālani hōkū, the four Hawaiian star lines, to navigate.
• Ongoing | Richard T. Mamiya Science Adventure Center Exhibit:Lele o Nā Manu: The Splendor and Loss of Hawaiʻi's Birds features 47 exquisite carvings of endemic manu nahele by master craftsman, Haruo Uchiyama. The complete set of historically known Hawaiian honeycreepers are displayed atop an original mural painted by local artist, Patrick Ching. The exhibit also includes a mural by Dr. Julian Hume depicting prehistoric Kīpahulu Valley, Maui; fossils of extinct Hawaiian bird species; and an interactive game.
• Ongoing | Richard T. Mamiya Science Adventure Center Exhibit:Ke Kai Pōwehiwehi: The Twilight Zone showcases the rich biodiversity in our islands' coral reefs, presented as two distinct sections: shallow sunlit reef systems and deeper mesophotic coral reefs.On the ground level of the Science Adventure Center, the exhibit features the shallow sunlit reef systems that most of us are familiar with, highlighting some of the native corals that make up our reefs in Hawaiʻi.The lower, second level of the exhibit highlights the deeper and less familiar mesophotic coral reefs, often referred to as the "twilight zone" of the ocean, where light barely penetrates. Deep sea fish and other mysterious creatures are represented here, giving guests a close-up look into the darker environment being explored by Bishop Museum scientists.
• Through June 2026 | Hawaiian Hall 3rd Floor Treasure Case Installation:Mary Kawena Pukui: Knowledge Is Life celebrates and honors the work and enduring legacy of Mary Kawena Pukui, and commemorates the Nānā i ke Kumu Series at its final monthly program of 2025.
• Ongoing | Campuswide Galleries:Bishop Museum's Signature Galleries include historic Hawaiian Hall, Pacific Hall, Picture Gallery, Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kāhili Room, Nā Ulu Kaiwiʻula Native Hawaiian Garden, Richard T. Mamiya Science Adventure Center, Kamālaʻulahiwa ʻOhana Learning Space, and the Museum's Campus Murals.
• Ongoing | Daily Programs:Bishop Museum's Daily Programs include English-language tours of Hawaiian Hall Complex at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., Monday through Saturday, as well as Geology Shows on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday at noon and 2:30 p.m. in our Hot Spot Theater, located on the lower level of the volcano in the Richard T. Mamiya Science Adventure Center. Times and availability may vary.Japanese language tours of the Hawaiian Hall Complex are available Monday through Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Tours may also be available on weekday afternoons at 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., pending docent availability.
• Ongoing | Planetarium Shows:Bishop Museum's J. Watumull Planetarium opened its doors on December 12, 1961, and has served more than six million visitors and students over 60 years of continuous operation. Experience a Planetarium show in its theater as an add-on experience to Bishop Museum's daytime general admission; as a standalone Special Evening Planetarium Show; or during various programs and events.

New in 2026

January

• Friday, Jan. 9, 5-9 p.m. | Public Program:Museum After Hours: "Jurassic Park" (1993) Outdoor Movie Screening, Great Lawn
• Saturday, Jan. 10, 10-11 a.m. | Public Program:Kanikapila ma Kaiwiʻula
• Friday, Jan. 15 | Evening Showtimes Vary | J. Watumull Planetarium Show:"The Stars Tonight"
• Saturday, Jan. 17, 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. | Public Program:Inspired by our exhibition, Explore EXCORE: The Art of Underwater Science, the EXCORE Ichthyology Collection Tours feature a behind-the-scenes look at Bishop Museum's fish collection with Dr. Richard Pyle, senior curator of Ichthyology and director of EXCORE.
• Wednesday, Jan. 21, 5-9 p.m. | Event:Kaiwiʻula Night Market & Grow Aloha Native Hawaiian Plant Giveaway
• Sunday, Jan. 25, times TBD | Public Program:No Ka Poli o Hiʻilei: Honoring Charles Reed Bishop
• Sunday, Jan. 25, 5:30-6:30 p.m. and 7-8 p.m. | J. Watumull Planetarium Show:"Sounds of the Ocean"

February

• Saturday, Feb. 7, 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. | Public Program:Inspired by our exhibition, Explore EXCORE: The Art of Underwater Science, the EXCORE Ichthyology Collection Tours feature a behind-the-scenes look at Bishop Museum's fish collection with Dr. Richard Pyle, senior curator of Ichthyology and director of EXCORE, and Calder Atta, Ichthyology collection manager.
• Friday, Feb. 13, 5-9 p.m. | Public Program:Museum After Hours: Ka Makou Kōnane Invitational Tournament
• Saturday, Feb. 14, 10-11 a.m. | Public Program:Kanikapila ma Kaiwiʻula
• Wednesday, Feb. 18, 5-9 p.m. | Event:Kaiwiʻula Night Market & Grow Aloha Native Hawaiian Plant Giveaway
• Wednesday, Feb. 18, 7-8 p.m. | J. Watumull Planetarium Show:"Navigating By the Stars"
• Friday, Feb. 20 | Evening Showtimes Vary | J. Watumull Planetarium Show:"The Stars Tonight"

March

• Sunday, March 1, 5:30-6:30 p.m. and 7-8 p.m. | J. Watumull Planetarium Show:"Sounds of the Ocean"
• Friday, March 6, 9 a.m. – noon | Public Program:Mālama Hāloa Festival and Symposium Youth Conference
• Saturday, March 8, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. | Public Program:Mālama Hāloa Festival and Symposium
• Friday, March 13, 5-9 p.m. | Public Program:Museum After Hours
• NEW Castle Memorial Building Exhibition | Aloha Bricks '26: Stories of Hawaiʻi
  • Thursday, March 12 1-4 p.m. | Media Preview (news media, please contact Krislyn Hashimoto to RSVP)
  • Friday, March 13, 3-6 p.m. | Member Preview
  • Saturday, March 14 | Public Opening
  • More Bricks public programs and events to come!

  Explore Hawai'i's vibrant stories through the colorful, creative world of LEGO®-type bricks.

  Bishop Museum is proud to present Aloha Bricks '26: Stories of Hawai'i, a family-friendly exhibit celebrating the people, places, plants, animals, and legends that shape the islands. In partnership with the Hawaii LEGO® Users Group (HILUG) and middle school students across the state, this exhibit combines play and culture through dynamic models, original artwork, and hands-on experiences.

• Saturday, March 14, 10-11 a.m. | Public Program:Kanikapila ma Kaiwiʻula
• Wednesday, March 18, 5-9 p.m. | Event:Kaiwiʻula Night Market & Grow Aloha Native Hawaiian Plant Giveaway
• Friday, March 20 | Evening Showtimes Vary | J. Watumull Planetarium Show:"The Stars Tonight"
• Saturday, March 21-Sunday, March 22 | Regional Event: Arizona Aloha Festival, Tempe Town Lake, ArizonaJoin us at the keiki corner and play Hawaiian games: hū (spinning tops), palaʻie (loop and ball game), and kōnane (Hawaiian checkers). Keiki activities for all ages include kapa stamping, paper lei making, ʻohe kāpala (bamboo carved stamps) stamping blank bookmarks, and a variety of coloring sheets.
• Sunday, March 29, 5:30-6:30 p.m. and 7-8 p.m. | J. Watumull Planetarium Show:"Sounds of the Ocean"

Spring

• Dates and times TBD | Regional Event: DISplace Exhibition, Wing Luke Museum, Seattle, WashingtonFeaturing art by regional Native Hawaiian creatives in the face of displacement from their original homelands.
• Dates and times TBD | Regional Event: American Samoa Exhibition, Field Museum, Chicago, IllinoisHonoring the culture of American Samoa.

April

• Friday, April 10, 5-9 p.m. | Public Program:Museum After Hours
• Saturday, April 11, 10-11 a.m. | Public Program:Kanikapila ma Kaiwiʻula
• Wednesday, April 15, 5-9 p.m. | Event:Kaiwiʻula Night Market & Grow Aloha Native Hawaiian Plant Giveaway
• NEW J. M. Long Gallery Exhibition | Ei Mai 'Eiwa: Patterns to Guide and Inspire
  • Thursday, April 16, 1-4 p.m. | Media Preview (news media, please contact Krislyn Hashimoto to RSVP)
  • Friday, April 17, 5-8:30 p.m. | Member Preview
  • Saturday, April 18 | Public Opening
  • More Ei Mai 'Eiwa public programs and events to come!

  Ea Mai ʻEiwa: Patterns to Guide and Inspire is the first comprehensive group exhibition for kumu hula Nālani Kanakaʻole, Sig Zane, and Kūhaʻoimaikalani Zane, a family of artists from Hilo, Hawaiʻi. In this exhibition, new and archival works from the artists will be placed in conversation with mea kūpuna (cultural belongings) from Bishop Museum's collection to celebrate the resilience and progression of cultural art forms in changing times.

• Monday, April 20, 11:30 a.m. | Mary Kawena Pukui Society Event:Mary Kawena Pukui Society Luncheon
• Saturday, April 25, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Public Program:Celebrate Micronesia Festival
• Sunday, April 26, 5:30-6:30 p.m. and 7-8 p.m. | J. Watumull Planetarium Show:"Sounds of the Ocean"

May

• Friday, May 1, 6-9 p.m. | Event:May Day Concert
• Friday, May 8, 5-9 p.m. | Public Program:Museum After Hours
• Saturday, May 9, 10-11 a.m. | Public Program:Kanikapila ma Kaiwiʻula
• Friday, May 15 | Evening Showtimes Vary | J. Watumull Planetarium Show:"The Stars Tonight"
• Wednesday, May 20, 5-9 p.m. | Event:Kaiwiʻula Night Market & Grow Aloha Native Hawaiian Plant Giveaway
• Wednesday, May 20, 7-8 p.m. | J. Watumull Planetarium Show:"Navigating By the Stars"
• Saturday, May 30, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Public Program:Science & Sustainability Festival

June

• Day and times TBD | Regional Event: King Kamehameha I Lei-draping Ceremony, U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, Washington, D.C.This Ceremony has been a celebration of culture, traditions, protocol, and aloha since the unveiling of the Kamehameha I and Saint Damien statues in 1969.
• Friday, June 12, 5-9 p.m. | Public Program:Museum After Hours
• Saturday, June 13, 10-11 a.m. | Public Program:Kanikapila ma Kaiwiʻula
• Wednesday, June 17, 5-9 p.m. | Event:Kaiwiʻula Night Market
• Friday, June 19 | Evening Showtimes Vary | J. Watumull Planetarium Show:"The Stars Tonight"
• Thursday, June 25, 5-8:30 p.m. | Membership Event:A Night Behind the Scenes

July

• Days and times TBD | Regional Event: Alondra Park Hoʻolauleʻa, Lawndale, CaliforniaJoin us at the Bishop Museum table and play Hawaiian games: hū (spinning tops) and palaʻie (loop and ball game). Hear about our Hawaiian Honeycreeper bird initiatives. Keiki activities for all ages include ʻohe kāpala (bamboo carved stamps) stamping blank bookmarks, and a variety of coloring sheets from our collections.
• Friday, July 10, 5-9 p.m. | Public Program:Museum After Hours
• Saturday, July 11, 10-11 a.m. | Public Program:Kanikapila ma Kaiwiʻula
• Wednesday, July 15, 5-9 p.m. | Event:Kaiwiʻula Night Market
• Friday, July 17 | Evening Showtimes Vary | J. Watumull Planetarium Show:"The Stars Tonight"
• Friday, July 31, times TBD | Public Program:Welo Ka Hae Hawaiʻi, Celebrating Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea, Hawaiian Sovereignty Restoration Day

August

• Days and times TBD | Regional Event: Bay Area Aloha Festival, San Mateo Community Center, San Mateo, California
• Thursday, Aug. 13-Sunday, Aug. 23 | Fundraiser:E Ulu A Paʻa Online Auction
• Friday, Aug. 14, 5-9 p.m. | Public Program:Mele After Hours Concert
• Saturday, Aug. 15, 10-11 a.m. | Public Program:Kanikapila ma Kaiwiʻula
• Wednesday, Aug. 19, 5-9 p.m. | Event:Kaiwiʻula Night Market
• Friday, Aug. 21 | Evening Showtimes Vary | J. Watumull Planetarium Show:"The Stars Tonight"
• Saturday, Aug. 22, 5:30 p.m. | Fundraising Event:E Ulu A Paʻa Gala Dinner
• Saturday, Aug. 22-Sunday, Aug. 23 | Regional Event: San Diego Hoʻolauleʻa, NTC Park Liberty Station, San Diego, CaliforniaJoin us at the Bishop Museum table and play Hawaiian games: hū (spinning tops) and palaʻie (loop and ball game). Hear about our Hawaiian Honeycreeper bird initiatives. Keiki activities for all ages include ʻohe kāpala (bamboo carved stamps) stamping blank bookmarks, and a variety of coloring sheets from our collections.

September

• Days and times TBD | Regional Event: Seattle Live Aloha Hawaiian Cultural Festival, Seattle Center, Seattle, Washington
• Friday, Sept. 11, 5-9 p.m. | Public Program:Museum After Hours
• Saturday, Sept. 12, 10-11 a.m. | Public Program:Kanikapila ma Kaiwiʻula
• Wednesday, Sept. 16, 5-9 p.m. | Event:Kaiwiʻula Night Market
• Friday, Sept. 18 | Evening Showtimes Vary | J. Watumull Planetarium Show:"The Stars Tonight"
• Thursday, Sept. 24, 6-8 p.m. | 50 years of Aloha ʻĀina: The Kahoʻolawe Movement | Laʻa Maʻa Paʻa Talk Story in Hawaiian Hall

October

• Friday, Oct. 9, 5-9 p.m. | Public Program:Museum After Hours
• Saturday, Oct. 10, 10-11 a.m. | Public Program:Kanikapila ma Kaiwiʻula
• Friday, Oct. 16 | Evening Showtimes Vary | J. Watumull Planetarium Show:"The Stars Tonight"
• Wednesday, Oct. 21, 5-9 p.m. | Event:Kaiwiʻula Night Market
• Thursday, Oct. 22, 6-8 p.m. | 50 years of Aloha ʻĀina: The Kahoʻolawe Movement | Laʻa Maʻa Paʻa Talk Story in Hawaiian Hall
• Day and times TBD | Public Program:Kāhuli Festival

November

• Thursday, Nov. 12, 6-8 p.m. | 50 years of Aloha ʻĀina: The Kahoʻolawe Movement | Laʻa Maʻa Paʻa Talk Story in Hawaiian Hall
• Friday, Nov. 13, 5-9 p.m. | Public Program: Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana Presents 50 Years of Aloha ʻĀina: The Kahoʻolawe MovementRemembering and reflecting on the grassroots aloha ʻāina movement that ended the military use of Kahoʻolawe.
• Saturday, Nov. 14, 10-11 a.m. | Public Program:Kanikapila ma Kaiwiʻula
• Wednesday, Nov. 18, 5-9 p.m. | Event:Kaiwiʻula Night Market
• NEW Castle Memorial Building Exhibit | Hawaiʻi Walls
  • Thursday, Nov. 19, 1-4 p.m. | Media Preview (news media, please contact Krislyn Hashimoto to RSVP)
  • Friday, Nov. 20, times TBD | Member Preview
  • Saturday, Nov. 21 | Public Opening
  • More Hawaiʻi Walls public programs and events to come!
• Nov. 28, times TBD | Public Program:Lā Kūʻokoʻa, Celebrating the Independence Day of the Hawaiian Kingdom

December

• Friday, Dec. 11, 5-9 p.m. | Public Program:Museum After Hours
• Saturday, Dec. 12, 10-11 a.m. | Public Program:Kanikapila ma Kaiwiʻula
• Wednesday, Dec. 16, 5-9 p.m. | Event:Kaiwiʻula Night Market
• Friday, Dec. 18 | Evening Showtimes Vary | J. Watumull Planetarium Show:"The Stars Tonight"
• Dec. 19, times TBD | Public Program:E Ō, E Ka Wahine: Celebrating Bernice Pauahi Bishop

Event and program days and times subject to change; updates and additional information can be found on Bishop Museum's website, BishopMuseum.org.