Posts Tagged ‘Honolulu Zoo History’

There is so much to do at the Honolulu Zoo it takes two articles to list all the fun things that the Honolulu Zoo Society has to offer in addition to the all right by itself activity of simply visiting the residents during the normal zoo hours of 9 AM to 4:30 PM Daily except Christmas Day when the animals are busy playing with their new toys & such. Admission is modest: General Admission (13 years and older) $8. Kama’aina (13 years and older with local I.D.) $4.Children (6-12 years with adult 18 years and older) $1.Children (5 years and under with adult) free.FamilyPass$25. (Local I.D. required for kama`aina price).

First a wee bit of history. In the year of the American Centennial, 1876, King David Kalakaua made available royal lands near Diamond Head for the establishment of Grand Park for the people of the Kingdom of Hawai’i. Two hundred subscribers formed the Kapiolani Park Association and in 1877 Queen Kapiolani Park, named in honor of Queen Consort Julia Kapiolani, opened to the public. King Kalakaua had always had a collection of exotic birds and horses and they stayed, joined over the years by even more exotic creatures, holdovers from the many fairs & carnivals held in the park to honor King Kamehameha Day (see article http://www.alohaupdate.com/2009/06/08/to-honor-a-king-king-kamehameha-day-june-2009/) .

Perhaps the most famous animal to join the growing collection was an elephant named Daisy, she arrived on 1916 aboard a steamship. Administrator of Parks & Recreation and Queen Kapiolani Park, Ben Hollinger pleaded with the City & County of Honolulu to purchase Daisy, which they did, and with an elephant along with several lion cubs, a monkey, and a honey bear, the Honolulu Zoo was born. Maintaining a Zoo is never easy and throughout the decades that followed the Zoo has had to be reborn, most notably in 1949, again in 1974, and since the 1990s a concentrated on going effort was set in motion one which keeps the Honolulu Zoo alive & vital to this day due to the unceasing efforts of the Honolulu Zoo Society whose mission is “—to preserve and appreciate the diversity of wildlife.”

One can contact the Honolulu Zoo Society via 808-826-3191 and find out how to become a member or a volunteer or whatever. http://www.honoluluzoo.org/visitor_info.htm

Now for more fun stuff to do at the Zoo! Set aside Friday Nights June 19th, or July 24th, or August 21st for Star Gazing at the Zoo with the University of Hawai’i Institute of Astronomy. “Discover Animals that are out of this world, as well as those that are more down to earth in our exciting new education program. Join us on an evening tour of the zoo in addition to exploring the night sky above Hawaii.”

6:30 short animal tour

7:00 Starlab presentation by the UH Institute of Astronomy (group 1)

7:30 Make your own constellation activity and snacks (group 1)
(group 2 will do these last two in reverse)

8:00 Star Gazing with Telescopes 8:30/9:00 pau.

Reservations are strongly recommended via 808-971-7195.

Ongoing activities include the Zoo’s popular Twilight Tours from 5:30 to 7:30 PM, “For families: (strollers are welcome) Let us be your guides for a magical evening adventure as we discover what happens at the Honolulu Zoo when the sun goes down and the gates close. Held every Friday and Saturday Night at the Zoo! Guests meet at the front of the zoo at 5:15 for check in, payment and assignment to their knowledgeable and friendly Education guide. Recommended for adults and kids ages 4 and up School and scout groups welcome to schedule additional dates. Cost: $14 per adult, $10 per child ages 4 to 12 Members: $12 per adult, $8 per child ages 4 to 12 “

Perhaps the coolest on going activity, one that is available during the Summer June 26th, July 10th, August 7th, September 4th and October 2nd, is the Snooze in the Zoo an overnight camping adventure from 5:30PM to 9AM the next morning. Recommended “For Families: Discover who is roaring and who is snoring at night at the Honolulu Zoo! Pizza, tours, and campfire time with s’mores, plus breakfast and a morning stroll. Pack up your tent and give us a call!” 808-971-7195 “RESERVATIONS REQUIRED, Cost: $50 for ages 4 and up or Members: $45 for ages 4 and up”

There is actually plenty more including a ‘Vacation Adventures Day Camp’ but space limitations draw the curtain across this article so scope out the Honolulu Zoo you will be amazed at all the fun that you and your friends & family can explore.