Honolulu Zoo: Best Family Activity

Honolulu Zoo is the flagship tourist attraction in Oahu. It is one of the largest zoos in the world. It is a part of 300 acre Kapiolani Park located in the southeast end of Waikiki. The Zoo is family-friendly and filled with a lot of fun activities that kids love. It is the only zoo in the entire United States history to have been constructed out of a king’s wish.

The area that contains Honolulu Zoo was initially covered with marshland. The region provided everything to support civilization. It had fertile soil for cultivation, clean water for fishing and trees for construction. In 1876, King David Kalakaua gifted 300 acres to Park Association. The marshes and lagoons were drained. The area was beautified and was named Queen Kapiolani Park, in honour of his wife. The park housed rare and exotic birds, collected by the king.

By 1914, the park began showcasing animals in the park. These activities were undertaken under the leadership of the Administrator of Parks and Recreation, Ben Hollinger. The animals include the lion, bear, monkey, and elephant. During the Great Depression, the zoo was on the verge of closing down. But perseverance saved the zoo and overcame the troubles. Now, Honolulu Zoo is the favourite destination of 750,000 travellers who visit here every year.

The stated mission of Honolulu Zoo is to ‘Inspire the stewardship of our living world by providing meaningful experiences to our guests.’ The message is practised clearly in every program in the zoo. The zoo offers many funds and applications with natural preservation as its primary aim. “Zoo to You” is one such program to motivate people to respect the land. It is free of charge. The program focuses on local species of animals and plants and the threat they face from invasive species. Another initiative is the Orangutan Outreach Program. This project aims to educate people on orangutans and the risks they face.

“To create a global and Hawaii-based environmental awareness which leads residents and vacationers to feel responsible for the well-being of this extraordinary place that is the Hawaiian Islands.”- The educational aim of Honolulu Zoo summarizes what the zoo stands for. The goals of the zoo are:

-Conservation of nature and natural resources.

-Better information about animal species to visitors.

-Make people aware of the local Hawaiian species.

Conservation and protection of nature are of utmost importance in today’s world. In the fight against climate change and global warming, the Zoo puts forward a crucial message.

Honolulu Zoo provides a great relaxing experience to its visitors. But at the same time, the Zoo also wants to offer a meaningful experience to its guests.

1.Conservation: The zoo represents decades of hard work of thousands of people and never-ending compassion of these people to conserve nature. The zoo protects over about dozens of endangered animals. It also provides custom made natural habitats to over 905 species of animals. When you visit the zoo, you will understand the strategic role the zoo plays in the conservation of biology and behaviour of all these animals.

2. Establish environmental awareness: The zoo offers walking tours and camps for children. The camps focus on lessons and activities which provide knowledge about our environment and its importance. The children will gain a good understanding of the connection between humans, animals and nature. They will be inspired and motivated to protect and conserve the environment.

3. Better knowledge of animal species for children: Walking tours and interactive classes are conducted in the zoo. It involves interactive presentations, display of fossils and live tours. Children will see endangered animals up close. They will see how animals and humans can live together and thrive.

4. Know more about Hawaii’s royal history: The zoo provides an opportunity for its visitors to come close to Hawaii’s history. The zoo is an integral part of Hawaii’s imperial past. It introduces visitors to the story of King David Kalakaua, who had gifted 300 acres of land in which the zoo sits. You will hear the legend of Queen Kapiolani, the king’s wife after whom the park was named. You will also become familiar with the stories of hundreds of different animals brought from all around the world from 1914.

The Honolulu Zoo provides habitat to about 905 animal species. They come from different ecosystems in the world-ranging from tropical evergreen forests to arid grasslands. They are housed in specially designed living spaces that are really close to their natural habitat.

The diversity found in Honolulu Zoo is unimaginable. It contains thousands of animals, two dozen endangered species like black rhino, Sumatran tiger, Komodo dragon, etc. The zoo consists of 42 acres for the exhibition of animals. There are ring-tailed lemurs, terrapins, tortoise, and many other rare species that you can find here. There is a collection of African animals like kookaburras and turtles too. For the medical care of these animals, an Animal Health centre is also present.

An animal that is highly likely to go extinct is categorized as endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Honolulu Zoo houses several endangered birds, mammals and reptiles. Some of these endangered animals you can see in the zoo are:

1. Black Rhino: The zoo has two handsome black rhinos. They were acquired from the American zoo in 1999.

2. Sumatran tiger: The Sumatran tiger is found only in Indonesia. They are in Red List. The zoo houses one Sumatran tiger.

3. Asian elephant: It is the only living animal of the genus Elephas. It is endemic to South Asia.

4. Chimpanzee: Want to see the most intelligent animal known to man? The zoo houses a few Chimpanzees.

5. Ring-tailed lemur: Ring-tailed lemur is an endangered animal only found in Madagascar.

6. Golden lion tamarin: The golden lion tamarin is a rather vocal little animal belonging to the monkey family. The most noticeable feature is its tail.

7. Komodo dragon: Komodo dragons are the most massive lizard species in the world. It is on the verge of extinction.

8. Galapagos tortoise: Galapagos tortoises are the largest living species of tortoise. They can be seen in the Zoo.

9. Giant South American River turtle: They are one of the biggest freshwater turtles in the world. They are widely hunted for flesh. Giant South American River turtle is conserved in Honolulu.

10. South-East Asian River terrapin: South East Asian River terrapin is a critically endangered riverine turtle found in the zoo.

The zoo also houses many endangered birds. Manchurian crane, Marianas Fruit Dove, Palawan peacock pheasant, Palm Cockatoo, Laysan Teal, Nene and Cuban Amazon are some of the endangered birds you can find in Honolulu Zoo.

The zoo also houses a wide variety of plant species. Some of them are native to Hawaii and have a lot of traditional value. They are of cultural importance to the local people. Some of these are hibiscus, Kou, lehua, Hala, etc. Kou plants are known for medicinal and dye-making properties. The Hala plant is used for weaving.

Honolulu Zoo offers fun activities to its visitors throughout the year. Some of the activities to do during the day are:

1. Animal Feeding: You can buy food from stalls inside the zoo and feed the thousands of animals you find in the zoo. You will come face to face with hippos, monkeys, gazelles and komodo dragons who all would love to take a bite.

2. Stroll through the botanical garden featuring plants: The zoo is home to hundreds of plants that would blow you away. There are plants that are native to Hawaii as well as plants from far off places. You can also see some of the exotic plants like kukui nut trees and noni plants in here. You can take a hike through the botanical garden enjoying the fragrance and beauty of these plants.

3. Eat & Drink in the zoo’s outdoor restaurant: After long walks, when you get tired, you can visit the outdoor restaurants and treat yourself with tasty traditional Hawaiian food. When you need a bite, you can visit these restaurants, selling pizzas, chicken tenders, hamburgers, fresh fruits, and chilled non-alcoholic drinks. Local snacks like spam musubi and shave ice are also available.

4. Buy animal-themed gifts in the gift shop: If you want to take some gifts for your loved ones as a memory of the trip, you can get it from the gift shop just before the exit. You can find unique tokens that you can walk away with. You can also buy stuffed animals. There are also a large variety of clothing, jewellery and toys present too.

5. Have a look at various kind of animals: The zoo contains two dozen endangered animals that you can only see very rarely. You can see a lot of endangered animals up close. There are more than 25 endangered species in the zoo. These endangered animals include Sumatran tigers, ring-tailed lemurs, Asian elephants, and many more. There you can spend your time watching these animals and learning about their behaviour.

6. Play with your kids: The zoo provides a grassy playground area where your kids can run around and play. Join your kids and have some fun. There is a “Keiki Zoo” in here. It is a mini version of the zoo with a lot of interactive exhibitions specially designed for children.

After the sun sets, the nightlife in the zoo begins, and it is just as thrilling as the day. Once the gate closes, it marks the beginning of night time activities in the zoo. The things you can do at night are:

1. Walking night tours: Walking night tours are provided with every Friday and Saturday in the zoo. It is a guided tour that is given after sunset. It is a two-hour walking tour with educator guidance. You will get a chance to see live some of the zoo’s most beautiful animals and their activities. These nocturnal activities are exciting and worth watching.

You can watch most of the animals getting ready to sleep while some like bats and owls waking up! You can learn more about these animals’ biology, competition and balance that exists in this ecosystem. You can see the display of animal bio facts. This guided tour will end with a classroom presentation about the zoo.

Age limit for entering the Twilight tours is above five years.

The tours are held all around the year. During October to March, the timing is from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM. From April to September, the tour starts at 5:30 PM and ends at 7:30 PM.

The fees for the Twilight tours are $20 for adults and $15 for children.

2. Camping: You can camp overnight at the zoo under the stars. The cool Pacific breeze will melt all your worries. You will be surrounded by a unique world of animals and plants. The animal sounds will take you back to old times. You will feel that you are living in a forest. It will be an enjoyable experience that will remain with you for a long tie. You can either sleep under the stars or set up tents on the back lawn.

The zoo camp will also be a great learning opportunity. The camping will include interactive activities like lessons on bio facts, crafts and arts. A different theme is highlighted each week. You will walk away with a handful of valuable information about different animals and their environment.

The zoo provides a spring camp during February, a Summer camp during April and a fall camp in October. Register early to get into the field.

The cost for camping is $360 per week. There is an additional $70 per week for aftercare.

3. Storytelling: You can make the tour more personal by sharing your stories with your fellow travellers and also listening to their stories. You are sure to make some good friends.4. Campfire songs: Share the joy and become a child again by being part of campfire songs. You will feel happy and fulfilled.

• Address: The zoo is present at the southern end of Waikiki. It is near the Diamond hotel, which marks the beginning of Kapahulu Park. Correct Address is:

151 Kapahulu Ave., Honolulu, Hawaii 96815.

Phone: 808-971-7171

Website: www.honoluluzoo.org

• Timing: Honolulu Zoo remains open from 9 AM to 4:30 PM every day. It is closed only on Christmas.

• Transportation: The zoo can be reached by getting off at Stop 4 of the Waikiki Trolley Green Line.

• Parking: The zoo is filled with tourists most of the time. So, you might take a long time to find parking space. The entrance is at Kapahulu avenue. The parking fees is $1 per hour. Free parking spaces can also e found in the neighbourhood. The zoo is at a walkable distance from Waikiki. So, you can park in nearby streets.

• Admission: Admission fees for adults above 13 years old are $19. Children between 3 and 12 years old have to pay $11. The visit is free for kids below three years past.

• Animals are profoundly affected by loud noises. So, use quiet voices during the trip.

• There are a lot of important plans grown in the zoo. Do not walk over these plants. Always stay in assigned pathways.

• Fences and railings are constructed for your protection. Do not take risks and jump over fences.

• Throwing rocks and toys into animal habitats is dangerous. Animals might eat it and can get ill or even worse. Do not throw things inside the zoo.

• Teasing or making actions might trigger animals, and I might cause accidents. Do not do this.

• The zoo gets extremely hot. Wear sun protection.

• Pack light and carry water. You will need to cover long distances on foot.

• The zoo is huge. It is much larger than it appears from outside. Taking a packed lunch with you might help.

There are many attractions near the Honolulu zoo. Some of them are famous and popular. Waikiki Aquarium and Waikiki Beach are among the two significant tourist places around here. Both of them are equally amazing.

Waikiki Aquarium is an interpretive centre to go to while visiting Honolulu. For visitors in Oahu, this is one of the popular tourist destinations. Waikiki Aquarium is an award-winning aquarium in Waikiki. It is located next to a living coral reef! The aquarium is filled with seals, sharks, coloured fishes, corals, and much more.

Waikiki Beach is the spot to visit when you want to run away from the hustle of the city and enjoy the calm of the sea. Waikiki Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Hawaii. It is not a single beach but a collection of beaches. Waikiki Beach has eight different sections. Together, these sections provide a real paradise for the beach bather and the outdoor enthusiast. Waikiki Beach is a safe and comfortable destination for sunbathers. It is also a popular tourist destination where families love to spend some time together with kids.

Today, the Honolulu Zoo is one of the best zoos in the world. It has several exhibits that will surely delight anyone looking for a great weekend and would like to visit some beautiful animals. Visit and enjoy!

More about Honolulu:

- Big Island Day Trip: Big Island Volcano Adventure Tour from Oahu

- Diamond Head Crater Adventure