The Waikīkī Aquarium sits on a slice of shoreline in Honolulu’s Kapiʻolani Park, where it has introduced visitors to the marine life of Hawaii and the tropical Pacific since March 19, 1904. Originally built by the Honolulu Rapid Transit and Land Company to draw riders onto its trolley line, it opened with 35 tanks and roughly 400 organisms and quickly earned praise as one of the finest fish collections in the world.
Today the aquarium is operated by the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, a relationship that dates back to 1919, and functions as both a public attraction and a working marine research and education center. It is recognized as the second-oldest continuously operating public aquarium in the United States, behind only the New York Aquarium, and its current building on the site has welcomed visitors since 1955.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Honolulu, Oʻahu, Hawaii
- Opened: March 19, 1904
- Size: 2.35 acres
- Species: About 490 species, 3,500+ organisms
- Annual visitors: Over 330,000
- Famous for: First U.S. aquarium to display living Pacific corals and to breed chambered nautilus
A Living Collection
The Waikīkī Aquarium’s exhibits focus heavily on the reef ecosystems of Hawaii and the broader tropical Pacific, including tanks devoted to Hawaiian monk seals and Palauan reef life. Its coral propagation program, established under director Bruce Carlson in the 1990s, was among the first in the country to successfully raise corals in captivity, and some of its coral colonies are now decades old.
The aquarium is also known for a long-running chambered nautilus breeding program, only the second facility in the world to keep the species and the first to produce viable nautilus embryos in captivity. A giant clam acquired in 1982 became recognized as one of the longest-lived giant clams ever kept in an aquarium setting.
Research and Education
As part of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, the Waikīkī Aquarium supports marine biology research alongside its public exhibits and runs education programs that reach more than 30,000 schoolchildren each year. In 2000 it was designated a Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center, reflecting its dual role as both a visitor attraction on the edge of Waikiki and a hub for marine science on Oʻahu.
Explore more: Explore more Zoos & Aquariums.
Waikīkī Aquarium FAQs
When did the Waikīkī Aquarium open?
It opened on March 19, 1904, originally as the Honolulu Aquarium, making it the second-oldest continuously operating public aquarium in the United States.
Who operates the Waikīkī Aquarium?
The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa has operated the aquarium since 1919.
How many species does the Waikīkī Aquarium have?
It houses more than 3,500 organisms representing about 490 species of marine plants and animals, largely focused on Hawaiian and Pacific reef life.
Get More from Waikīkī Aquarium
Log the coasters, stadiums, and venues you’ve experienced, rate Waikīkī Aquarium, and see what your friends thought. Get the ThrillZing app.
Photo: Meowmeow10 / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.