Hawai'i's pre-eminent science and cultural history institution has made remarkable progress under the leadership of its president, William Brown, who will relinquish the helm in a few short weeks.

Before Brown's arrival in 2000, the museum was meandering, its mission fuzzy and its staff in upheaval over where resources should be directed.

Thankfully, focus has been restored, and the museum is on more secure financial footing with its endowment growing and its facilities in line for a needed upgrade.

Brown, and the team that he built in six short years, certainly deserves credit for that turnabout. His administration refined museum policy on the cultural artifacts in its custody, an issue that cried out for clarity. It was a statement that ultimately culminated in a court challenge and, starting today, resumption of critical talks over the final disposition of the controversial Kawaihae burial caves objects.

He ran into some rough spots — the assertion of the museum as a Native Hawaiian organization that could claim burial objects was a non-starter. But the leadership required to stake out a firm position and to assemble community support was essential.

Beyond the issue of maintaining its cultural collection, the museum also grew as an educational resource with the opening of Science Adventure Center, an asset for the future, and as a chronicler of its natural and cultural past, with the renaissance of its publishing wing.

It's encouraging to see a focused search under way for Brown's replacement. The retention of a credited international search organization, Morris & Berger, adds another layer of optimism.

It's important that the transition team make it clear that the successor must have an interest in Hawai'i's natural and cultural treasures, because their stewardship is the bedrock responsibility of the Isles' flagship museum. There's no better place for fulfilling that duty than the Bishop.

Hawai'i owes thanks to Brown for his contribution. The importance of his work will become even clearer with the passage of time.