Zoos in Hawaii

Hawaii's two zoo listings sit on different islands and feel very different. On Oahu, Honolulu Zoo covers 42 acres inside Queen Kapiolani Park between Diamond Head and Waikiki. It dates its opening to 1910, is AZA accredited, and groups its exhibits into the African Savanna, Asian and American Tropical Forests, and Pacific Islands. On the island of Hawaii, Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens in Hilo is a county-run facility of about 12 acres within the Pana'ewa Recreational Complex. It is not AZA accredited, lists more than 80 animal species, and includes botanical gardens with over 1,000 orchids. Visitors to both islands can plan around the very different climates, since Hilo sits in a rainforest zone.