Hawaii County next year will begin charging for admission to the Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens.
Hawaii Island’s only zoo opened in the Pana‘ewa Recreational Complex in 1978 and has been consistently funded by the county and private donations.
The county Parks and Recreation Department operates the zoo and has for years been discussing the implementation of admission fees to help support and fund the zoo, according to Parks and Rec Director Maurice Messina.
“This is something we’ve been working on with (Mayor Roth) and his team and the County Council for a few years, and we’re happy it’s finally coming to fruition,” Messina said. “Part of the reason for an admission fee is the ability to create a more robust experience at the zoo, but our goal is to keep all resident fees as minimal as possible.”
Messina said the proposed admission fees for kama‘aina are $1 for keiki and $4 for adults. For nonresidents, the proposed fees are $5 for keiki and $12 for adults.
“Since I’ve been on staff, many people have told me how surprised they are that the zoo is free, and people frequently donate to us when they visit,” said Zoo Administrator Mindy Runnells. “More funding will help us hire more staff, bring in more exhibits and offer more programs, which will all grow the zoo.”
Over the years, Friends of the Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens, or FOZ, has grown into a close-knit team who have worked for endless hours to raise funds for animal enrichment, weekly programs and special events that the county’s budget could not accommodate.
Volunteers will continue to raise money through the zoo’s gift shop, stroller rentals and annual fundraisers that will go toward upgrading animal habitats, maintaining the petting zoo, and caring for the zoo grounds and botanical garden.
“We’re very lucky to have such a committed Friends of the Zoo community partner, and we’re looking to supplement their efforts with this fee and enhance the zoo experience,” Messina said. “We’re already looking to improve some components of the playground, provide more programs for zoo visitors, and create interpretive signage with QR codes that provide more information on each animal.”
According to Messina, there are considerations for admission discounts for seniors, active duty military and people with disabilities, as well as special deals for families, school trips and youth programs.
After finalizing the proposal as a rule amendment, Parks and Recreation will hold a public hearing and give residents the opportunity to weigh in on the rule change and admission charge. Staff are working to complete the public hearing notices as soon as possible, according to Messina.
Meanwhile, planning for the zoo’s Tiger Fun Day event and fundraiser is ongoing. The event will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 29.
The two tigers, Sriracha and Tzatziki, are turning 9-years old, and the zoo invites the public to attend. There will be special treats and toys, and visitors can celebrate with fun activities, cultural education and a scavenger hunt.
Caretakers for the botanical garden, including volunteers from the Hilo Orchid Society, will be stationed across the grounds to talk about the native flora and fauna, which now include over 1,000 orchids.
While entrance to the Tiger Fun Day is free, games and some concessions inside the zoo will be cash only.
According to Runnells, the Pana‘ewa Zoo also is in the process of upgrading four of its aviaries with better netting.
However, although they are hard to see in their enclosed habitat, the ‘alala must remain in their mosquito-proof space since the native bird is extinct in the wild.
“We recently installed two TVs at the ‘alala exhibit and in the gift shop that plays a video of the ‘alala using enrichment tools,” Runnells said. “We know they are hard to view, so we wanted people to see how crazy smart they are.”
There also are a few animal acquisitions in the works. And one new animal has arrived safely but he will not be revealed until he completes a 30-day quarantine and settles in his habitat.
“This is a repeat species, but he is younger, so we will have to do introductions with the current resident of the exhibit,” Runnells said. “After the zookeepers create a list of potential names, we will announce the new animal on social media and host a vote for the new guy’s name.”
Admission to the Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens will remain free until Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day, except the first Thursday of every month, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
For more information on volunteering with FOZ, donations and special events, visit hilozoo.org.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling @hawaiitribune-herald.com.