Ocean Life

November 13, 2013 | By Waikiki Magazine Team

The Waikiki Aquarium is already home to more than 3,500 organisms of more than 500 species of aquatic plants and animals. And just recently, it welcomed a very special newcomer—the Hawaiian sea turtle.

“Sea turtles are a big draw,” says Waikiki Aquarium director of community outreach MaryLou Foley. “People who come to Hawai’i are always interested in seeing turtles.”

The sea turtles—or honu as they are known in Hawaiian—were brought in as hatchlings in September and now have a home in a 1,000-gallon exhibit in the aquarium’s Gallery 1.

Other newcomers to the aquarium include new nautiluses (a marine mollusk) and fish in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands exhibit.

Another new feature will provide visitors with the opportunity to interact with those who work up close with the animals. The new “Ask the Aquarist” program will allow guests to ask questions during the animals’ feeding times (times vary and are unannounced). It’s all part of the Aquarium’s effort to disseminate as much information about ocean life as possible.

“Anybody who comes to the Waikiki Aquarium is able to leave having learned something new and with a greater appreciation for the ocean,” Foley says.

Entrance fees are $12 for adults, $5 for juniors (4-12), free for children 3 and under, $5 for seniors (65+), and $8 for active duty military and kama’aina with ID.

PHOTOS: COURTESY WAIKIKI AQUARIUM

Waikiki Aquarium
2777 Kalakaua Ave.
(808) 923-9741
www.waquarium.org